Fennel was in olden times generally considered an inflammatory
herb, and hence to eat "conger and fennel" was to eat two high and hot
things together, which was an act of libertinism. Thus in "2 Henry IV."
(Act ii. sc. 4), Falstaff says of Poins, "He eats conger and fennel."
Rosemary formerly had the reputation of strengthening the memory,
and on this account was regarded as a symbol of remembrance. Thus,
according to an old ballad:--
"Rosemary is for remembrance
Between us day and night,
Wishing that I may always have
You present in my sight."
And in "Hamlet," where Ophelia seems to be addressing Laertes, she
says (Act iv. sc. 5):--
"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance."
Vervain, from time immemorial, has been the floral symbol of
enchantment, owing to its having been in ancient times much in request
for all kinds of divinations and incantations. Virgil, it may be
remembered, alludes to this plant as one of the charms used by an
enchantress:--
"Bring running water, bind those altars round
With fillets, with vervain strew the ground."
Parsley, according to floral language, has a double signification,
denoting feasting and death. On festive occasions the Greeks wore
wreaths of parsley, and on many other occasions it was employed, such
as at the Isthmian games. On the other hand, this plant was strewn over
the bodies of the dead, and decked their graves.
"The weeping willow," as Mr. Ingram remarks, "is one of those
natural emblems which bear their florigraphical meaning so palpably
impressed that their signification is clear at first sight." This tree has
always been regarded as the symbol of sorrow, and also of forsaken love.
In China it is employed in several rites, having from a remote period
been regarded as a token of immortality. As a symbol of bitterness the
aloe has long been in repute, and "as bitter as aloes" is a proverbial
expression, doubtless derived from the acid taste of its juice. Eastern
poets frequently speak of this plant as the emblem of bitterness; a
meaning which most fitly coincides with its properties. The lily of the
valley has had several emblems conferred upon it, each of which is
equally apposite. Thus in reference to the bright hopeful season of