44 
LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
WEEPING-WILLOW. 
The Weeping Willow is a native of the East, 
where it was not only planted near the water, but 
also near the graves of the dead, over which its 
branches drooped as in token of mourning and afflic¬ 
tion, producing an appropriate and picturesque effect. 
It is called by Linneus the Willow of Babylon 
(Salix Babylonica), in allusion to that affecting 
passage in the 137th Psalm, where the captive chil¬ 
dren of Israel are represented as hanging their harps 
upon the willows, and sitting down beside the waters 
of Babylon to weep the separation from their be¬ 
loved country. 
Silent their harps — each cord unstrung. 
On pendent willow-branches hung. 
Booker. 
On the willow thy harp is suspended — 
O Salem! its sound should be free, 
And the hour when thy glories were ended 
But left me that token of thee; 
And ne’er shall its soft notes be blended 
With the voice of the spoiler by me. 
Byron. 
