Book 15
14
"Nic$enetus also, the epic poet, appears to make some allusion to the fashion of wearing garlands of osier in his Epigrams. And this poet was a native of Samos, and a man who in numberless passages shows his fondness for mentioning points connected with the history of his country. And these are his words:— I am not oft, O Philotherus, fond Of feasting in the city, but prefer The country, where the open breeze of zephyr Freshens my heart; a simple bed Beneath my body is enough for me, Made of the branches of the native willow (πρόμαλος), And osier (λύγος), ancient garland of the Carians,— But let good wine be brought, and the sweet lyre, Chief ornament of the Pierian sisters, That we may drink our fill, and sing the praise Of the all-glorious bride of mighty Jove, The great protecting queen of this our isle. But in the selines Nicænetus speaks ambiguously, for it is not quite plain whether he means that the osier is to make his bed or his garland; though afterwards, when he calls it the ancient garland of the Carians, he alludes clearly enough to what we are now discussing. And this use of osiers to make into garlands, lasted in that island down to the time of Polycrates, as we may conjecture. At all events Anacreon says— But now full twice five months are gone Since kind Megisthes wore a crown Of pliant osier, drinking wine Whose colour did like rubies shine."
