"Sparge molam, et fragiles incende bitumine lauros;
Daphnis me malus urit, ego hanc in Daphnide laurum."
"Next in the fire the bays with brimstone burn,
And whilst it crackles in the sulphur, say,
This I for Daphnis burn, thus Daphnis burn away."
DRYDEN.
The "holly bush" being made to represent the person beloved, may also be borrowed from the ancients:—
—————————"Terque hæc altaria circum
Effigiem duco."
VIRGIL.