io8 THE SHAKESPEARE GARDEN 



produced by cultivation of the primrose." In Eng- 

 land the oxl ip is found in woods, fields, meadows, 

 and under hedges. Though a spring flower it lingers 

 into summer and is found in company with the nod- 

 ding violet, wild thyme, and luscious eglantine on 

 the bank where Titania loved to sleep lulled to rest 

 by song. 1 Perdita speaks of "bold oxlips" ("The 

 Winter's Tale," Act iv, Scene iii) ; and compared 

 with the primrose and cowslip the flower deserves 

 the adjective. 



"Oxlips in their cradles growing," in the song in 

 "The Two Noble Kinsmen," 2 which Shakespeare 

 wrote with John Fletcher, shows great knowledge 

 of the plant, for the root-leaves of the oxlip are 

 shaped like a cradle. 



Parkinson writes: "Those are usually called ox- 

 lips whose flowers are naked, or bare, without husks 

 to contain them, being not so sweet as the cowslip, 

 yet have they some little scent, although the Latin 

 name doth make them to have none." 



"A Midsummer Night's Dream"; Act II, Scene II. 

 2 Act I, Scene I. 



