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.