X A PREFACE OF MOTTOES. 



" Of simples in these groves that grow 



We'll learn the perfect skill ; 

 The nature of each herb to know, 

 Which cures and which can kill." 



DRAYTON. 



" The power of herbes, both which can hurt and ease, 

 And which be wont to encage the restlesse sleepe." 



SPENSER. 



" Blumen, ach Blumen, die heileh jeder Schmerz, 



Drum driickt man ein Kind gern an das wunde Herz." 



" How behovefull the knowledge of the vertues and opera- 

 tions of trees, plants, herbs, and other vegetables are for the 

 extolling and manifesting the omnipotency, wisdom, mercy, 

 loving-favour, and fatherly providence of our most gracious 

 God toward sinfull man, is, in that He hath created for the 

 behoof and use of man, as well touching his necessary food, 

 and rayment, as for recreation and delight ; we may evidently 

 perceive by Solomon's industrious investigation of the virtues 

 and operations of all sorts of vegetables for (besides other his 

 admirable qualities wherewith he was richly endued) he had 

 surpassing knowledge in the virtues, operations, and qualities 

 of herbes and other vegetables, in so much as he was able to 

 reason, discourse, and dispute, not onely of beasts, fowles, and 

 creeping things, and fishes, but of trees, alsoe plants, from 

 the Cedar in Lebanon, to the Hyssope that springeth out of 

 the wall." GWILLIM. 



" We will now enquire of plants, or vegetables ; and we 

 shall doe it with diligence. They are the principall part of 

 the third daies worke * * * They are of excellent 

 generall use ; for food, medicine, and a number of mechanicall 

 arts." BACON, " Sylva Sylvarum" 



" Serving no haughty muse my hands have here 

 Disposed some cultured flowrets (drawn from spots 

 Where they bloomed singly, or in scattered knots.)" 



WORDSWORTH. 



" No more telle I zow yane I fynde." 



" Stockholm Ned. MS." 



