232 THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 



"Our ordinary Garden Lavender riseth up with 

 a hard woody stem about the ground parted into 

 many small branches whereon are set whitish long 

 and narrow leaves by couples; from among which 

 riseth up naked square stalks with two leaves at a 

 joint and at the top divers small husks standing 

 round about them formed in long or round heads or 

 spikes with purple gaping flowers springing out of 

 each of them. The heads of the flowers are used 

 to be put among linen and apparrell." 



Because of its scent, lavender was often included 

 in the nosegay. Lavender was much loved by sweet- 

 hearts. In the "Handful of Pleasant Delights" 

 (1584) it is described thus: 



Lavender is for lovers true, 



Whichever more be saine, 

 Desiring always for to have 



Some pleasure for their pain. 

 And when that they obtained have 



The Love that they require, 

 Then have they all their perfect joy 



And quenched is the fire. 



Lavender belongs to the crowfoot family, and there- 

 fore is related to the columbine, buttercup, and 

 monk's-hood (aconite). The ancients used it in 

 their baths, whence the name from the Latin lavare, 

 to wash. The Elizabethans loved, as we do to-day, 



