120 THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 



A nun demure, of lowly port; 



Or sprightly maiden, of Love's court; 



In thy simplicity the sport 



Of all temptations; 

 Queen in crown of rubies drest, 

 A starveling in a scanty vest, 

 Are all, as seems to suit the best 



My appellations. 



A little cyclops with one eye 



Staring to threaten and defy 



That thought comes next and instantly 



The freak is over, 

 The shape will vanish and behold, 

 A silver shield with boss of gold 

 That spreads itself some fairy bold 



In fight to cover. 



Bright flower ! for by that name at last 

 When all my reveries are past 

 I call thee, and to that cleave fast, 



Sweet, silent creature 

 That breathst with me the sun and air, 

 Do thou as thou art wont repair 

 My heart with gladness and a share 



Of thy meek nature. 



"Daisies smell-less yet most quaint" is a line from 

 the flower-song in "The Two Noble Kinsmen," writ- 

 ten by John Fletcher and Shakespeare. 1 



Milton speaks of 



Meadows trim with daisies pied 

 'Act I, Scene I. 



