226 THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 



toe to which it added its peculiar and delicious per- 

 fume. Moreover, it was said that rosemary brought 

 happiness to those who used it among the Christmas 

 decorations. 



Rosemary also garlanded that most important 

 dish of ceremony the boar's head, which the butler 

 (or sewer) bore into the hall of great houses and 

 famous institutions, like the colleges of Oxford and 

 Cambridge and the City Companies, on a silver dish, 

 preceded by a flourish of trumpets. The carol he 

 sung began : 



The boar's head in hand bring I, 

 With garland gay and rosemary. 



Lyte said: "Rosemary comforteth the brain and 

 restoreth speech, especially the conserve made of 

 the flowers thereof with sugar." Worn on the per- 

 son it was thought to strengthen the memory and 

 to make the wearer successful in everything. The 

 famous Hungary-water, so favorite a perfume in 

 the days of Elizabeth and after, was distilled from 

 rosemary. The leaves were used as a flavor in cook- 

 ing (just as the Italians use it to-day). Placed in 

 chests and wardrobes, rosemary preserved clothing 

 from insidious moth. According to astrologers, 

 rosemary was an herb of the sun. 



