82 SHAKESPEARE'S [DAMSON. 



[Gerard describes six different Daisies, and states further that 

 the juice of the leaves and root given to little dogs keepeth 

 them from growing great (" Herbal," s.z:).] 



Damson. 



My wife desired some damsons. 



ii. KING HENRY VI., ii. i, 101. 



OF the plum-tree is many manner of kinds ; but the 

 Damascene is the best, that cometh out of Damask ; only 

 of this tree droppeth and cometh glue and fast gum, 

 physicians say that it is profitable to medicine, and for to 

 make ink for writers' use. 



Bartholomew (Bertbelet\ bk. xvii. 125. 



Darnel. 



Darnel and all the idle weeds that grow 

 In our sustaining corn. 



KING LEAR, iv. 4, 5. 



AMONG the hurtful weeds, Darnel is the first. They 

 grow in fields among wheat and barley of the corrupt and 

 bad seed. They spring and flourish with the corn. The 

 new bread wherein Darnel is eaten, hot, causeth drunken- 

 ness ; in like manner doth beer or ale wherein the seed 

 is fallen, or put into the malt. Darnel hurteth the eyes, 

 and maketh them dim, if it happen in corn either for 

 bread Or drink. Gerard's "Herbal," j.r. 



Date. 



Your date is better in your pie and your porridge than in your 

 cheek. 



ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, i. i, 173. 



THERE is made hereof both by the cunning confectioners 

 and cooks divers excellent cordial, comfortable and nourish- 

 ing medicines, and that procure lust of the body very 

 mightily. The ashes of the Date-stones heal falling away 

 of the hair of the eye-lids, being applied together with 

 Spikenard. Gerard's "Herbal," s.v. 



