AY. Laurus Nobilis. Class 9, Enneandria. Order: Monogynia. The Laurus Nobilis, or Sweet Bay, though but a shrub
in our country, in Asia and the southern parts of Europe, its proper birth-place, attains to the height of twenty or thirty feet. It grows very freely on the banks of the river Peneus, in Thessaly; and hence, perhaps, the fable of the metamorphosis of Daphne, daughter of that river. It also, with classic propriety, adorns mounts Ida and Athos.
REWARD OF MERIT.
Not around the peaceful bower
Should thy verdant branches twine,
Though thy leaves through wintry hour
With unchanging lustre shine:
There are fitter scenes than this for thy bloom.
On the poet’s lofty brow
Let thy classic garlands glow,
Or, if he lieth low,
On his tomb.
Should thy verdant branches twine,
Though thy leaves through wintry hour
With unchanging lustre shine:
There are fitter scenes than this for thy bloom.
On the poet’s lofty brow
Let thy classic garlands glow,
Or, if he lieth low,
On his tomb.
Or, return’d from well-fought field,
When the victor throws aside
Both his dinted helm and shield
And his sword in crimson dyed,
O’er his trophies let thy green branches wave;
For what so fit a meed
From the country he has freed,
As the laurel-wreath decreed
To the brave?
When the victor throws aside
Both his dinted helm and shield
And his sword in crimson dyed,
O’er his trophies let thy green branches wave;
For what so fit a meed
From the country he has freed,
As the laurel-wreath decreed
To the brave?
Anon.