THE ELIZABETHAN FLOWER-GARDEN 161 



variety of sweet smelling flowers? decking with sun- 

 dry colours the green mantle of the Earth, the uni- 

 versal Mother of us all, so by them bespotted, so 

 dyed, that all the world cannot sample them, and 

 wherein it is more fit to admire the Dyer than imitate 

 his workmanship. Colouring not only the earth, but 

 decking the air, and sweetening every breath and spirit." 



In concluding his description Lawson says : " One 

 chief grace that adorns an Orchard I cannot let slip. 

 A brood of Nightingales, who with their several notes 

 and tunes, with a strong delightsome voice out of a 

 weak body will bear you company night and day;" 

 and he goes on to name some of the other birds 

 whose presence might be desired. Then he adds: 

 " What shall I say ? 1000 of delights are in an Orchard 

 and sooner shall I be weary, than I can reckon the least 

 part of that pleasure, which one, that hath and loves 

 an Orchard may find therein. What is there, of all 

 these few that I have reckoned, which doth not please 

 the eye, the ear, the smell and taste? and by these 

 senses, as Organs, Pipes and Windows, these delights 

 are carried to refresh the gentle, generous and noble 

 mind." 



The ancient custom of receiving important visitors 

 in the garden was followed by Queen Elizabeth. At 

 Hampton Court she afforded in her private garden a 

 clandestine interview to one of the first suitors for 



