"THE SWEET O' THE YEAR" 111 



the top, out of a skinny husk (as all other Daffodils 

 have), one flower, somewhat large, having the six 

 leaves that stand like wings, of a pale yellow color, 

 and the long trunk in the middle of a faire yellow 

 with the edges, or brims, a little crumpled, or un- 

 even. After the flower is past, it beareth a round 

 head, seeming three square, containing round black 

 seed." 



Shakespeare knew all of these varieties very well 

 and had many of them in mind when he wrote the 

 beautiful lines for Perdita, who exclaims: 



O Proserpina! 



For the flowers now that, frighted, thou lettst fall 

 From Dis's wagon. Daffodils 

 That come before the swallow dares, and take 

 The winds of March with beauty. 1 



Much has been written about this description of 

 the daffodils; and it is generally thought that "to 

 take the winds of March with beauty" means to 

 charm, or captivate, the wild winds with their love- 

 liness. I do not agree with this idea, and venture 

 to suggest that as the daffodils sway and swing in 

 the boisterous March winds with such infinite grace 

 and beauty, bending this way and that, they "take 

 the winds with beauty," just as a graceful dancer 



'"The Winter's Tale"; Act IV, Scene III. 



