
LOVE. 18] 
preserved a very lively passion for this lovely 
shrub; preferring its odour to that of the most 
precious essences, and throwing into their baths 
water distilled from its leaves, being persuaded 
that the tree of Venus is favourable to beauty. 
If the ancients had that idea,—if the tree so 
consecrated to Venus were to them the tree of 
love,—it was from the true analogy between its 
power and that of love; for wherever the 
myrtle grows it spreads itself around to the 
exclusion of all other shrubs. So love, once 
master of a heart, leaves no room for any other 
sentiment. Scott has borne his testimony to 
the universality of love, 
In peace, love tunes the shepherd’s reed ; 
In war, he mounts the warrior’s steed ; 
In halls, in gay attire is seen; 
In hamlets, dances on the green ; 
Love rules the court, the camp, the grove 
And men below, and saints above, 
For love is heaven, and heaven is love. 
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