278 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



fused in vinegar, the Marygold is supposed to prevent in- 

 fection, even that of the plague itself; and, so infused, both 

 the leaves and flowers are found a powerful sudorific. It 

 is, however, very probable that the efficacy of the infusion, 

 in cases of infection, is more in the vinegar than in the 

 flower infused in it. It has been asserted that the sting of 

 a wasp, or a bee, is effectually cured by rubbing the part 

 affected with a Mary gold-flower. 



Linnaeus has observed, that the Marygold is usually 

 open from nine in the morning to three in the afternoon. 

 The circumstance attracted early notice, and on this ac- 

 count the plant has been termed solisequa (Sun-follower) ; 

 and solis sponsa, Spouse of the Sun. 



There is an allusion to this daily closing of the Mary- 

 gold in the poems of Chatterton : 



" The mary-budde that shutteth with the light." 



Another in the Pastorals of W. Browne : 



" But, maiden, see the day is waxen olde, 

 And gins to shut in with the marygold." 



And a most beautiful one in Shakspeare's Winter's Tale : 



" The marygold, that goes to bed with the sun, 

 And with him rises weeping." 



And again in Cymbeline : 



" Hark ! hark ! the lark at heaven's gate sings, 



And Phoebus 'gins arise, 

 His steeds to water at those springs 



On chaliced flowers that lies. 

 And winking marybuds begin 



To ope their golden eyes ; 

 With every thing that pretty bin, 

 My lady sweet arise, 

 Arise, arise." 



Chaucer compares the effect of joy upon a person in sor- 

 row to that of the morning sun upon these very sun-loving 

 flowers : 



