COWSLIP. 109 



My sliding chariot stays,, 



Thick set with agate and the azure sheen 



Of turkis blue, and emerald green, 



That in the channel strays ; 



Whilst from off the waters fleet 



Thus I set my printless feet, 



O'er the cowslip's velvet head, 



That hends not as I tread ; 



Gentle swain, at thy request, 



I am here." 



The oxlip is by no means so common as the Cowslip : 

 it is considered as a link between that and the primrose. 

 It has been called the great primrose: but though the 

 oxlip flower spreads wider, the Cowslip has the advantage 

 in height. On this account Shakspeare selects the latter 

 for the courtiers of the Fairy Queen, in allusion to the 

 tall military courtiers called Queen Elizabeth's Pensioners : 



" The cowslips tall her pensioners be, 

 In their gold coats spots we see; 

 Those be rubies, fairy favours, 

 In those freckles live their savours ; 

 I must go seek some dew-drops here, 

 And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear." 



The single Cowslip is rarely admitted into gardens, but 

 the double flowers are common : they have a good effect 

 by the side of the dark polyanthus, or shaded by a bunch 

 of glowing wallflowers. The roots may be purchased 

 almost for nothing. They who desire to have the single 

 flowers may transplant the wild roots, which should be 

 done about Michaelmas, and they will have time to gain 

 strength for flowering in the spring. But it must be ob- 

 served, that although these plants, in their wild state, are 

 entrusted to Nature's care, and though we must confess 

 that she deserves this confidence, we must no longer de- 



