FLORAL RECORDS. II 



Shakespeare, the High Priest of Nature, 

 has been truer to her laws in his most poetic 

 grouping of flowers, and has formed HIS 

 garland of blossoms that breathe the air at 

 the same period. 



It is impossible to speak of flowers with- 

 out giving that unrivalled passage from the 

 "Winter's Tale," in which Perdita wishes 

 for those which had faded, before the golden 

 harvest came : 



" O, Proserpina, 



For the flowers now that frighted thou lettest fall 

 From Dis's waggon ! daffodils, 

 That come before the swallow dares, and take 

 The winds of March with beauty ; violets dim, 

 But sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyes, 

 Or Cytherea's breath ; pale primroses, 

 That die unmarried ere they can behold 

 Bright Phoebus in his strength. . . . 

 . . . . Bold oxlips and 

 The crown imperial ; lilies of all kinds, 

 The flower-de-luce being one ! " 



Surely this is the most lovely bouquet that 

 poet ever wove ! though all have rendered 

 due homage to the flowers, from the little 

 daisy up to the sovereign rose. 



