"SWEET SUMMER BUDS" 181 



She show'd me her ferns and woodbine sprays 



Fox-glove and jasmine stars, 

 A mist of blue in the beds, a blaze 



Of red in the celadon jars, 

 And velvety bees in convolvulus beds 



And roses of bountiful June 

 Oh, who would think that the summer spells 



Could die so soon ? * 



Carnations and Gilliflowers 



CARNATIONS (Dianthus caryophyllus). Per- 

 dita calls carnations and streak'd gilliflowers "the 

 fairest flowers o' the season." Carnation was origi- 

 nally spelled coronation, because the flower was used 

 to make crowns, garlands, and wreaths. In the days 

 of Pliny it was called dianthus, or flower of Jove, 

 and was also worn in wreaths and crowns. From 

 Chaucer we know that it was cultivated as the 

 "Clove Gilliflower" in English gardens; and be- 

 cause it was used to add a spicy flavor to wine and 

 ale, it acquired the popular name of "sops in wine." 

 Hence Spenser in his "Shepherd's Calendar" sings: 



Bring hither the pink and purple Columbine 

 With Gillyflowers; 



1 Locker-Lamp son. 



