96 POLYGALE^ 



discourse with his parishioners." There was something very beautiful and 

 touching in these processions, and they seemed a natural and thankful way 

 of pouring out the praises of a glad heart to God in the midst of His works ; 

 but like so many other customs of those days, innocent and even laudable in 

 themselves, they soon became perverted to seasons of revelry. That such 

 was the case with Eogation ceremonies, both the old poems and sermons of 

 those days abundantly prove. In one of the latter, the preacher exclaims, 

 " Alacke for pitie, these solemn and accustoma1)le processions be nowegrowen 

 into a right foule and detestable abuse ; so that the most part of men and 

 women do come forth rather to set out and shew themselves, and to passe 

 the time with vayne and unprofitable tales and merrie fables, than to make 

 generall supplications and prayers to God for their lacks and necessities." 



George Herbert spoke of this practice as a pious and thanksgiving custom ; 

 and George Wither praises it, too, as he says — 



"That every man might keepe his own possession, 

 Our fathers used a reverend procession, 

 AVith zealous prayers, and with praisefiil cheere, 

 To walk their parish limits once a yeare ; 

 And M'ell-knovvn markes, which sacrilegious hands 

 Xow cut or breake, so border'd out their landes, 

 That every one distinctly kuewe his owne, 

 And many brawles now rife were then unknowne." 



Our Milkwort seems in those days to have been generally recognised as a 

 proper adornment to the garland carried on these occasions; for Bishop 

 Kennet in naming it says, " Gang-flower, Rogation-flower ; a sort of flower 

 in prime at Eogation week, of which the maids make garlands, and use them 

 in these solemn processions." Gerarde speaks also of its being used at this 

 time, and says, " It serveth well to the decking up of houses and banquetting- 

 rooms, for places of pleasure, and for beautifying of streets in the Crosse or 

 Gang- week, and such like." 



Shaw, in his "History of StafFoidshire," speaking of Wolverhampton, 

 says, " Many of the older inhabitants can Avell remember when the sacrist, 

 resident prebendaries, and members of the choir, assembled at Morning 

 Prayer on Monday and Tuesday in Rogation week, with the charity children, 

 bearing long poles clothed with all kinds of flowers then in season, and which 

 were afterwards carried through the streets of the town Avith much solemnity ; 

 the clergy, singing men and boys, dressed in their sacred vestments, closing 

 the procession, and chanting, in a grave and appropriate melody, the Canticle, 

 ' Benedicite opera,' etc." 



This ceremony is said by Sir Henry Ellis to be of high antiquity, its 

 origin having been, probably, the Roman offerings of the Primitiaj. Like 

 many other Pagan ceremonies, it was adapted by the early Christians to a 

 ])urer worship. It was discontinued about a century since. M. Chateau- 

 liriand, in his " Beauties of Christianity," gives a most glowing description of 

 the manner in which it is still observed in some parts of France. 



Our Milkwort is little heeded now hy any but the lovers of wild flowers ; 

 but few of these would pass it without a thought of praise for its beauty, as 

 they see it among the short grass of the hill-side, where it 



" Purples all the ground with vernal Howers." 



