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ST ET 
152 FLORAL POESY. 
Thou shalt the Roman festivals adorn, 
And, after poets, be by victors worn.” 
Spenser resents the slight shown to the god of poetry, 
and thus vindictively speaks of the cold nymph : 
‘‘ Proud Daphne, scorning Phcebus’s lovely fire, 
On the Thessalian shore from him did flee; 
For which the gods, in their revengeful ire, 
Did her transform into a laurel-tree.” 
Chaucer bestows the laurel upon the Knights of the 
Round Table, the Paladins of Charlemagne, and some 
other heroes of antiquity, 
«¢ That in their times did right worthily. 
* * x * % 
For one lefe given of that noble tree 
Toany wight that hath done worthily 
Is more honour than anything erthly.” 
THE LAUREL. 
TASSO. 
O GLAD triumphal bough, 
That now adornest conquering chiefs, and now 
Clippest the brows of overruling kings: 
From victory to victory 
Thus climbing on, through all the heights of story, 
From worth to worth, and glory unto glory ; 
To finish all, O gentle and royal tree, 
Thon reignest now upon that flourishing head, 
At whose triumphant eyes Love and our souls are led. 

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