IN PRAISE OF GARDENS 



Of all things that are borne to live and dye, 

 According to their kynds. Long Xvorke it were 

 Here to account the endless progeny 

 Of all the weeds that bud and blossome there; 

 But so much as doth need must needs be counted 

 here. 



It sited was in fruitfull soyle of old, 



And girt in with two walls on either side; 



The one of yron, the other of bright gold, 



That none might thorough breake, nor overstride. 



And double gates it had which opened wide, 



By which both in and out men moten pas: 



Th' one faire and fresh, the other old and dride, 



Old Genius the porter of them was, 



Old Genius, the which a double nature has. 



He letteth in, he letteth out to wend 

 All that to come into the world desire: 

 A thousand thousand naked babes attend 

 About him day and night, which doe require 

 That he with fleshly weeds would them attire: 

 Such as him list, such as eternall fate 

 Ordained hath, he clothes with sinfull mire, 

 And sendeth forth to live in mortall state, 

 Till they agayn returne backe by the hinder gate. 



[70] 



