"HERBS OF GRACE" 251 



without, whereon stand many large flowers one 

 above another, in form very like a hood, or open 

 helmet, being composed of five leaves, the upper- 

 most of which and the greatest is hollow, like unto 

 a helmet, or headpiece: two other small leaves are 

 at the sides of the helmet, closing it like cheeks, and 

 come somewhat under, and two other which are 

 the smallest hang down like labels, or as if a close 

 helmet were opened and some pieces hung by, of a 

 perfect, or fair, blue color (but grow darker having 

 stood long) which causeth it to be so nourished up 

 in Gardens that their flowers, as was usual in for- 

 mer times (and yet is in many country places) 

 may be laid among green herbs in windows and 

 rooms for the Summertime; but although their 

 beauty may be entertained for the uses aforesaid, 

 yet beware they come not near your tongue or lips, 

 lest they tell you to your cost, they are not so good 

 as they seem to be. In the middest of the flower, 

 when it is open and gapeth wide, arc seen certain 

 small threads like beards, standing about a middle 

 head, which, when the flower is past, groweth into 

 three ot four, or more, small blackish pods, con- 

 taining in them black seeds. The roots are brownish 

 on the outside and white within, somewhat big and 

 round about and small downwards, somewhat like 



