SENSIBILITY OF PLANTS 97 



hardly necessary to recall to your mind the allusions to 

 it by many poets. You remember the bushes of Thrace, 

 animated by the spirit of dead Polydorus, the Gardens 

 of Alcina, mentioned by Ariosto, and the enchanted for- 

 ests created by Boiardo and Berni. At first, these would 

 appear to be bizarre fantasies, invented by poets solely to 

 amuse the public and to perplex the ignorant : 



" But ye, whose minds are clear and of free range, 

 Seek for the doctrine, that perchance is hid 

 Under the veil of verses passing strange." 



Hear now Berni : 



"All precious things and things of beauty, all 

 Those of sweet savor, fine and delicate. 

 Uncovered in the hand should ne'er at all 

 Be borne abroad, lest, through some evil fate. 

 Such choice things unto filthy pigs might fall. 

 Learn then how Nature with covers ornate 

 Her divers products wisely does provide: 

 Tliorns, scales, shells, pods, and rugged bark or hide. 

 Against the power of sky, of bird and beast. 

 She also hides her gold far under ground. 

 With pearls and jewels rare, that men, at least, 

 May not her secrets e'er disclose unbound. 

 How foolish seekers are, who gaily feast 

 Upon their treasure opened on the ground; 

 They seem to call on robbers and the Devil 

 To spoil them of their goods and do them evil. 

 For it would also seem that Justice wills 

 (Giving a meed of good to them that strive), 

 That he, who labors and much promise fills. 

 Should be a man of worth, no drone i' the hive. 

 As with deft hand a spoon of salt she spills. 

 The clever house-wife daily does contrive 

 To give to viands a still finer savor. 

 Though even in themselves, they lacked not flavor. 



