Bottle-Leather.

Leather bottles presage a happy death.

[This, from a MS. Oneirology, is the only reference to Bottles which I have found in any of the old dream books. It is from the Greek.]

"TWAS God above that made all things,
The heavens, the earth, and all therein;
The ships that on the sea do swim,
To guard from foes that none come in;
And let them do all that they can,
'Tis but for one end-the use of man.
So I wish in heaven his soul may dwell,
That first found out the leather bottèl.

Now what do you say to these cans of wood?
Oh no, in faith they cannot be good;
For if the bearer fall by the way,

Why on the ground his liquor doth lay:
But had it been in a leather bottèl,
Although he had fallen, all had been well.
So I wish in heaven his soul may dwell,
That first found out the leather bottèl.

And when the bottèl at last grows old,
And will good liquor no longer hold,
Out of the side you may make a clout
To mend your shoes when they're worn out;

Or take and hang it up on a pin,

'Twill serve to put hinges and old things in.
So I wish in heaven his soul may dwell,
That first found out the leather bottèl.

From THE ANTIDOTE TO MELANCHOLY. 1682.

Bow.

To dream of finding a bended bow presages a happy journey and a prosperous return.

ACHMET SEIRIM.

THERE was heard the sound of a coming foe,
There was sent through Britain a bended bow,
And a voice was poured on the free winds far,
As the land rose up at the sound of war.
"Heard ye not the battle horn?
-Reaper! leave the golden corn!
Leave it for the birds of heaven,
Swords must flash and spears be riven.
Leave it for the winds to shed-

Arm! ere Britain's turf grow red!"

And the reaper armed like a freeman's son,
And the bended bow and the voice passed on.

"Prince! thy father's deeds are told,
In the bower and in the hold!

Where the goatherd's lay is sung,
Where the minstrel's harp is strung!

-Foes are on thy native sea-
Give our bards a tale of thee !"

And the prince came armed like a leader's son,
And the bended bow and the voice passed on.

"Mother! stay thou not thy boy!
He must learn the battle's joy.
Sister! bring the sword and spear,
Give thy brother words of cheer!
Maiden bid thy lover part!

Britain calls the strong in heart!"

And the bended bow and the voice passed on,
And the bards made song for a battle won.

HEMANS.

Bracelets Jewellery.

It is a favourable omen for a lady to dream of bracelets, for she shall obtain them.

TO SILVIA.

I BRAKE thy bracelet 'gainst my will,

And wretched I did see

Thee discomposed then, and still

Art discontent with me.

One gem was lost, and I will get

A richer pearl for thee,
Than ever, dearest Silvia, yet

Was drunk for Anthony.

ARTEMIDORUS.

Or, for revenge, I'll tell thee what,
Thou for the breach shalt do;

First crack the strings, and after that
Cleave thou my heart in two.

Thy white arms are locked in
Broad bracelets of gold;
Thy girdle-stead's gleaming
With treasures untold:
The circlet that binds up
Thy long yellow hair,
Is starred thick with jewels,
That bright are, and rare:
But gifts yet more princely
Jarl Egill bestows,
For girdle, his great arm

Around thee he throws.

HERRICK.

MOTHERWELL.

Breeze.

To dream of gentle breezes softly blowing (venti leniter et placidè spirantes) is a favourable sign for lovers.

ARTEMIDORUS.

Up the dale and down the bourne
O'er the meadow swift we fly;
Now we sing and now we mourn,
Now we whistle, now we sigh.

By the grassy fringèd river,

Through the murmuring reeds we sweep; 'Mid the lily leaves we quiver, To their very hearts we creep.

Now the maiden rose is blushing
At the frolic things we say,
While aside her cheeks were rushing,
Like some truant bees at play.

Through the blooming groves we rustle,
Kissing every bud we pass;

As we did it in the bustle,

Scarcely knowing what it was.

Down the glen, across the mountain,
O'er the yellow heath we roam;
Whirling round about the fountain,
Till its little breakers foam.

Bending down the weeping willows,
While our vesper hymn we sigh:
Then unto our rosy pillows

On our weary wings we hie.

SONG OF THE SUMMER WINDS, by G. DARNLEY.