FLORAL CERE MONIES. 



Bring sweet carnations, and sops in wine, 

 Worn of paramours. 



Strew me the ground with daff-a-down-dillies, 

 And cowslips, and kingcups, and loved lilies. 



The pretty paunce, 



And the chevisaunce, 

 Shall match with the flower-de-luce." 



M. DRAYTON. 



Let us follow- the singers through yon grove of 

 myrtles into the open space beyond, where 

 upon a grassy hillock, a throne is erected, of 

 turf, overarched with boughs reft from the 

 neighboring trees, and literally covered with 

 wreaths and clusters of the fairest flowers; and 

 lo ! the queen ! 



" See where she sits upon the grassie greene, 



A seemly sight ! 

 Yclad in scarlet, like a ma\den queene, 



And ermines white. 

 Upon her head a crimson coronet, 

 With daffodils and damask roses set : 



Bay-leaves betweene, 



And primroses greene 

 Embellish the sweete violet" SPENCER. 



i . 



