The Herb Garden 113 



Here in my wreath bestowing. 

 Then Balm and Mint help to make up 



My chaplet, and for trial 

 Costmary that so likes the Cup, 



And next it Pennyroyal. 

 Then Burnet shall bear up with this, 



Whose leaf I greatly fancy ; 

 Some Camomile doth not amiss 



With Savory and some Tansy. 

 Then here and there I'll put a sprig 



Of Rosemary into it, 

 Thus not too Little nor too Big, 



'Tis done if I can do it." 



Another name for the herb garden was the olitory ; 

 and the word herber, or herbar, would at first sight 

 appear to be an herbarium, an herb garden ; it was 

 really an arbor. I have such satisfaction in herb 

 gardens, and in the herbs themselves, and in all 

 their uses, all their lore, that I am confirmed in my 

 belief that I really care far less for Botany than for 

 that old-time regard and study of plants covered by 

 the significant name, Wort-cunning. Wort was a 

 good old common English word, lost now in our use, 

 save as the terminal syllable of certain plant-names; 

 it is a pity we have given it up since its equivalent, 

 herb, seems so variable in application, especially in 

 that very trying expression of which we weary 

 so of late — herbaceous border. This seems an 

 architect's phrase rather than a florist's ; you always 

 find it on the plans of fine houses with gardens. To 

 me it annihilates every possibility of sentiment, and 

 it usually isn't correct, since many of the plants in 

 these borders are woody perennials instead of an- 



