MEDIAEVAL GARDENS 



means to communicate with one another, but 

 tradition, which is sometimes twin-brother to 

 truth, has handed down the story of a go-between 

 who conveyed missives and tokens. 



In the accompanying picture we see a corner 

 of a mediaeval garden, hemmed round with castle 

 wall. In it the artist has adapted an everyday 

 scene to a religious purpose, by giving my lady 

 a crown, and the baby an aureole, to suggest the 

 Holy Mother and Child, whilst one of the 

 gentlemen-in-waiting is provided with wings, so 

 as to make him more in harmony with such 

 saintly company. But this is only what might 

 have been seen on any bright morning in late 

 spring or summer, in some castle pleasaunce. 

 My lady reads a book, whilst her maidens amuse 

 themselves, one holding a psaltery on which the 

 child tinkles, to its evident delight and wonder- 

 ment ; another, with a perverted sporting instinct, 

 seems to be trying to catch fish with a ladle (note 

 the usual little channelled way, on which a bird 

 is perched, refreshing itself), whilst a third is 

 picking fruit. The three squires are doubtless 

 talking of the chase, for, in my lady's presence, 

 love would hardly be their theme. And all 

 around are beautiful flowers roses, lilies, and 

 irises. Over against the enclosing wall is the 

 usual bank of earth, faced with wood to keep it 

 the necessary height, and planted with many 

 flowers. This raised portion enabled those in 

 the garden to get a view over the surrounding 

 country, and to have a point of outlook in case of 



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