_Under the Rose_ (Vol. i., pp. 214. 458.; Vol. ii., pp. 221. 323.).--I am
surprised that no one has noticed Sir T. Browne's elucidations of this
phrase. (_Vulg. Err._ lib. v. cap. 21. § 7.) Besides the explanation
referred to by ARCHÆUS (Vol. i., p. 214.), he says:
"The expression is commendable, if the rose from any _naturall_
propertie may be the symbole of silence, as Nazienzene seems to imply
in these translated verses--
'Utque latet Rosa verna suo putamine clausa,
Sic os vinela ferat, validisque arctetur habenis,
Indicatque suis prolixa silentia labris.'"
He explains "the Germane custome, which over the table describeth a rose in
the seeling" (Vol. ii., pp. 221. 323.), by making the phrase to refer only
to the secrecy to be observed "in society and compotation, from the ancient
custome in Symposiacke meetings to wear chapletts of roses about their
heads."