64 THE PRAISE OF GARDENS 



I list not seeke the common colours of antiquitie ; when not 

 withstanding the world can brag of no more ancient monument 

 than Paradise, and the garden of Eden : and the fruits of the 

 Earth may contend for seignioritie, seeing their mother was the 

 first creature that conceived, and they themselves the first fruit 

 she brought foorth. Talke of perfect happinesse or pleasure, and 

 what place was so fit for that, as the garden place, wherein Adam 

 was set, to be the Herbarist? Whither did the poets hunt for 

 their syncere delights, but into the gardens of Alcifwus, of Ado?iis^ 

 and the orchards of Hesperides ? Where did they dreame that 

 heaven should be, but in the pleasant garden of E/yshwi ? 

 Whither do all men walke for their honest recreation but thither, 

 where the Earth hath most beneficially painted her face with 

 flourishing colours ? And what season of the yeere more longed 

 for than the Spring, whose gentle breath inticeth foorth the kindly 

 sweetes, and makes them yeeld their fragrant smells ? — Ibid. Pre- 

 face ' to the courteous and well-ivilling Readers' 



JOHN LYLY— /^NE of the Ladies who delighted much in mirth, seeing 

 '' the Enphiiisr ^J Philautus behold Cajnilla so stedfastly, saide unto him: 

 ''^^^"^ Gentleman, what floure like you best in all this border, heere 



be faire Roses, sweete Violets, fragrant primroses, heere wil be 

 Jilly-floures, Carnations, sops in wine, sweet Johns, and what 

 may either please you for sight, or delight you with savour : loth 

 we are you should have a Posie of all, yet willing to give you 

 one, not yat which shal looke best, but such a one as you shal 

 lyke best. 



Philautus omitting no opportunitie, yat might either manifest 

 his affection, or commend his wit, answered hir thus : 



Lady, of so many sweet floures to chuse the best, it is harde, 

 seeing they be all so good. If I shoulde preferre the fairest before 

 the sweetest, you would happely imagine that either I were stopped 

 in the nose, or wanton in the eyes ; if the sweetnesse before the 

 beautie, then would you gesse me either to lyve with sauours, or 



