THE VERVAIN, A DRUIDICAL CHARM. THE Vervain was one of the sacred plants of the Druids, who observed many peculiar rites at its gathering. After libations of honey had been poured forth, it was gathered with much solemn ceremony at the rising of the dog-star, when neither sun nor moon looked upon it. In digging it up, the left hand only was used. It was then waved aloft, and the leaves, stalk, and root dried separately in the shade. It is described in their mystical writings as cheerful, placid vervain, which has been borne aloft and kept apart from the moon." Thus prepared, it was considered an antidote to many diseases, and, above all, it was a charm to conciliate friendship. 66 There are fairer flowers that bloom on the lea, But the vervain, with charmed leaf, shall be The plant of our choosing, though scentless and pale. For, wrapp'd in the veil of thy lowly flower, along, exhausted by the fatigues of their first spring rambles; and perhaps, like older children, weary of the treasures they were so anxious to obtain when they set out. With this plant we have an association furnished by Shakspeare. "Daffodils That come before the swallow dares, and take We may be allowed to add to this the plaintive dirge of one of our elder bards, who poured forth his strains in the spring-time of our poesy. TO DAFFODILS. HERRICK. FAIR daffodils, we weep to see You haste away so soon; As yet the early rising sun Has not attain'd his noon: Stay, stay, Until the hast'ning day Has run But to the even-song; And, having pray'd together, we Will go with you along! We have short time to stay as you, We have as short a spring; As quick a growth to meet decay As you, or any thing: We will plant thee beneath our sheltering tree, In our bow'r we will bid thy blossoms unfold; Pseudo-narcissus. Common daffodil. Hexandria Monogynia. Sheath one-flowered. Nectary bell-shaped, upright, curled; as long as the petals. Petals egg-shaped. Bulb roundish. Leaves rather glaucous, bluntly keeled, flattish at the edge. Flower nodding, large, of an unpleasant scent. Germen with three grooves. Stalk twoedged. Petals straw-coloured. Nectary throughout of a full yellow; the rim a little plaited and snipt.-Withering. IN the months of March and May, the hedgerows and coppices, in many parts of the country, are gay with the blossoms of the daffodil; and oftentimes you may trace the homeward path of the village children by these bright yellow flowers, which, one after another, have fallen from their hands, as they wandered along, exhausted by the fatigues of their first spring rambles; and perhaps, like older children, weary of the treasures they were so anxious to obtain when they set out. With this plant we have an association furnished by Shakspeare. "Daffodils That come before the swallow dares, and take We may be allowed to add to this the plaintive dirge of one of our elder bards, who poured forth his strains in the spring-time of our poesy. TO DAFFODILS. HERRICK. FAIR daffodils, we weep to see You haste away so soon; As yet the early rising sun Has not attain'd his noon: Stay, stay, Until the hast'ning day Has run But to the even-song; And, having pray'd together, we Will go with you along! We have short time to stay as you, We have as short a spring; As quick a growth to meet decay As you, or any thing: |