JUNE. 245 



" And now, when shearing of the flocks is done, 

 Some ancient customs, mix'd with harmless fun, 

 Crown the swain's merry toils. The timid maid, 

 Pleas'd to be prais'd, and yet of praise afraid, 

 Seeks the best flowers ; not those of woods and fields, 

 But such as ev'ry farmer's garden yields 

 Fine cabbage-roses, painted like her face, 

 The shining pansy, trimm'd with golden lace ; 

 The tall topp'd larkspurs, feather'd thick with flowers, 

 The woodbine, climbing o'er the door in bowers ; 

 The London tufts, of many a mottled hue, 

 The pale pink pea, and monk's-hood darkly blue; 

 The white and purple gilliflowers, that stay 

 Ling'ring in blossom summer half away ; 

 The single blood-walls, of a luscious smell, 

 Old-fashion'd flowers, which housewives love so well ; 

 The columbines, stone-blue, or deep night-brown, 

 Their honeycomb-like blossoms hanging down, 

 Each cottage garden's fond adopted child, 

 Though heaths still claim them, where they yet grow wild; 

 With marjoram knots, sweet briar, and ribbon-grass, 

 And lavender, the choice of every lass, 

 And sprigs of lad's-love all familiar names, 

 Which every garden through the village claims. 

 These the maid gathers with a coy delight, 

 And ties them up in readiness for night ; 

 Then gives to every swain, 'tween love and shame, 

 Her ' clipping-posies,' as his yearly claim." 



This custom is fully developed in the beautiful scene 

 in SHAKSPEARE'S Winter's Tale, where Perdita pre- 

 sents her father's guests with characteristic flowers, 

 according to their various ages 



" It is my father's will, I should take on me 

 The hostesship o' the day : You're welcome, sir! 

 Give me those flowers, there, Dorcas. Reverend sirs, 

 For you there's Rosemary, and Rue ; these keep 

 Seeming and savour, all the winter long : 

 Grace, and remembrance be to you both, 

 And welcome to our shearing !" 



