MARYGOLD. 



Chaucer to have intended this flower rather than the enor- 

 mous Sun-flower, now so called : 



" Eke eche at other threwe the flouris bright, 

 The prymerose, the violete, and the gold." 



COURT OF LOVE. 



He also bestows a garland of them upon Jealousy, yel- 

 low being the colour emblematical of that passion : 



" and Jalousie, 



That wered of yelwe goldes a gerlond, 

 And had a cuckowe sitting in her hand." 



THE KNIGHT'S TALE. 



It is rather an awkward circumstance, that the same 

 flower should be emblematical both of jealousy and mar- 

 riage : We learn from an old ballad, that 



" Marygold is for marriage. 

 That would our minds suffice, 

 Lest that suspicion of us twain 

 By any means should rise *." 



This flower should surely have been dedicated to Juno, 

 the goddess of marriage, and certainly the most jealous of 

 all beings, mortal or immortal. 



Spenser mentions the Marygold both by its old and mo- 

 dern name ; in speaking of Cynthia : 



" I would her liken to a crown of lilies, 

 Upon a virgin bride's adorned head, 

 With roses dight, and goolds, and daffodillies :" 



and in recounting the flowers planted about the tomb of 

 the unfortunate gnat : 



" And round about he taught sweet flowers to grow ; 

 The rose engraived in pure scarlet dye, 

 The lilly fresh, and violet below, 

 The marigold, and cheerful rosemary, 

 The Spartan myrtle, whence sweet gum does flow, 



* See notes, Beaumont and Fletcher, Vol. V. p. 423. 



