244 THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 



fore of some called Citrago. The flowers grow about 

 the tops of the stalks at certain distances, being small 

 and gaping, of a pale carnation color, almost white. 

 The roots fasten themselves strongly on the ground 

 and endure many years. It is increased by dividing 

 the roots; for the leaves die down to the ground 

 every year, leaving no show of leaf or stalk in the 

 Winter. Balm is often used among other hot and 

 sweet herbs to make baths and washings for men's 

 bodies in the Summer time. The herb without all 

 question is an excellent help to comfort the heart, 

 as the very smell may induce any so to believe. It 

 is also good to heal green wounds being made into 

 salve. I verily think that our forefathers hearing 

 of the healing and comfortable properties of the true 

 natural Balm and finding this herb to be so effectual 

 gave it the name of Balm in imitation of his prop- 

 erties and virtues." 



Arabian physicians recommended balm for affec- 

 tions of the heart and hypochondria. 



CAMOMILE (Anthemis nobilis). Falstaff 

 points a moral in the lowly camomile : "Though the 

 Camomile the more it is trodden on the faster it 

 grows, yet youth the more it is wasted the sooner 

 it wears." * A similar idea occurs in Lyly's 



'King Henry IV"; Part I, Act II, Scene IV. 



"' 



