44 



THE PRAISE OF GARDENS 



a most acceptable sweet and pleasant harmonie : besides, the 

 Borders and continued Rowes of soveraigne Thyme, Balme, 

 Rosemarie, Marierome (Marjoram), Cypers, Soothernwood, and 

 other fragrant hearbes, the sight and view whereof cannot but 

 give great contentment unto the beholder. 

 This section And in this Garden of Pleasure you are verie much to respect 

 *9 "? T ^^ forme and proportion of the same : wherein, according to 



translation oj the opinion of Serres and Uniett (Vinet), you must be much 

 1600, and IS ruled by the nature of the Soyle : which albeit you may, in 

 Markha'm. P^^^j t)y your Industrie and cost helpe, as touching the levelling, 

 raysing, abating, or enriching of the same ; yet, for the most 

 part, and especially touching the ayre, temperature, and clyme, 

 you must be governed by the Soyle in which you live. Now 

 for the general proportions of Gardens, they may at your 

 pleasure carrie anie of these foure shapes, that is to say, either 

 Square, Round, Ovall or Diamond. As for that which is more 

 long than broad, or more broad than long (neither of which 

 are uncomely), they are contained under the titles of Squares. 

 This is but the outward proportion ; or the Verge and Girdle 

 of your Garden. As for the inward proportions and shapes 

 of the Quarters, Beds, Bankes, Mounts and such like, they are 

 to be divided by Alleyes, Hedges, Borders, Rayles, Pillars, and 

 such like, and by these you may draw your Garden into what 

 form soever you please, not respecting what shape soever the 

 outward Verge carrieth ; for you may make that Garden which 

 is square without, to be round within ; and that which is round, 

 either square or ovall ; that which is ovall, either of the former 

 and that which is diamond, anie shape at all : and yet all exceed- 

 ingly comely. You may also, if your ground be naturally so 

 seated, or if your Industrie please so to bring it to passe, make 

 your Garden rise and mount by severall degrees, one levell 

 ascending above another, in such sort as if you had divers 

 gardens one above another, which is exceeding beautifull to 

 the eie, and very beneficiall to your flowers and fruit trees, 

 especially if such ascents have the benefit of the Sun-rising 

 upon them : and thus, if you please, you may have in one levell 



