56 NATURE IN DOWNLAND 



Next to the delight of flowers themselves is to 

 me that of listening to the old herbalist discoursing 

 of the same ; and this would I say of no other work 

 on plant lore, for these are mostly a weariness to read. 

 The old author is simple, not concerning himself 

 over much about the reason of things, or as he would 

 say he loveth not to dance in quagmires. And some- 

 times he is almost childlike in his repetitions and 

 reaffirmations ; but the colour of his style is never 

 overworn, and he is for ever fresh and full of variety 

 and agreeable surprises, like Nature herself, who 

 maketh her plants not for meat and medicine only, 

 but some to be esteemed for beauty alone, and as 

 garlands and crowns for pleasure. Indeed, there is 

 not seldom a lustre hi his words that serves to re- 

 mind one of the red whortle he greatly admired, which 

 is full of juice of so orient and beautiful a colour to 

 limn withal that Indian lacca cannot be compared 

 thereunto. Nor let it be forgot that it was he who 

 invented the name of Traveller's Joy; and by in- 

 creasing the pleasure which all have hi that green 

 and silver adorner of our country waysides and hedges, 

 may even be said to have added something to 

 nature. 



It would not be possible to mention all nor half 

 the numerous small pretty flowering herbs that 

 mingle their roots in the close matting of the turf 

 that covers the sheep-fed downs; but a word must 

 be said of the eyebright, that minute shrub a couple 



