166 ENGLISH PLEASURE GARDENS 



from their stalks; to smell such fragrancy of sweet 

 odours, breathing from the plants, herbs, and flowers; 

 to hear such natural melodious music and tunes of 

 birds ; to have in eye for mirth sometime these 

 underspringing streams; then, the woods, the waters, 

 (for both pool and chase were hard at hand in sight) 

 the deer, the people (that out of the East arbour in 

 the base Court, also at hand in view), the fruit trees, the 

 plants, the herbs, the flowers, the change in colours, 

 the birds flittering, the fountain streaming, the fish 

 swimming, all in such delectable variety, order, and 

 dignity; whereby at one moment, in one place, at 

 hand, without travel, to have so full fruition of so 

 many God's blessings, by entire delight unto all 

 senses (if all can take) at once; for etymon of 

 the word worthy to be called Paradise: and though 

 not so goodly as Paradise, for want of the fair rivers, 

 yet better a great deal by the lack of so unhappy a 

 tree. Argument most certain of a right noble mind, 

 that in this sort could have thus all contrived." 



The gardens at Levens give perhaps the best idea 

 of Elizabethan planting, while at Bramshill and Monta- 

 cute are good examples of the architectural features of 

 this period. There are many similar places in all 

 parts of England and Scotland. 



