"THE CURIOUS KNOTTED GARDEN" 45 



which grows upon the cluster in the first coming 

 forth; then sweetbrier, then wall-flowers, which are 

 very delightful to be set under a parlor or lower 

 chamber window; then pinks and gilliflowers; then 

 the flowers of the lime-tree; then the honeysuckles, 

 so they be somewhat afar off; of bean flowers, I 

 speak not, because they are field flowers. But those 

 which perfume the air most delightfully not passed 

 by as the rest but being trodden upon and crushed 

 are three: burnet, wild thyme and water-mints. 

 Therefore, you are to set whole alleys of them to 

 have the pleasure when you walk or tread." 



Shakespeare very nearly follows Bacon's order 

 of perfume values in his selection of flowers to adorn 

 the beautiful spot in the wood where Titania sleeps. 

 Oberon describes it: 



I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, 

 Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows, 

 Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine, 

 With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine. 

 There sleeps Titania sometime of the night, 

 Lulled in these flowers with dances and delight. 



Fairies were thought to be particularly fond of 

 thyme; and it is for this reason that Shakespeare 

 carpeted the bank with this sweet herb. Moreover, 

 as we have just seen, Bacon tells us that thyme is 



