GARDENS OF CELEBRITIES 



in/ the open. Many of the most stirring episodes in English history 

 happened there in the green fields, or on the King's highway. 

 We picture Queen Elizabeth less in the council chamber, than in 

 her girlhood, in the old garden at Hatfield ; or at Greenwich stairs, 

 stepping from her barge on to the velvet cloak that the astute 

 Raleigh sacrified in order that the Royal stocking should not be 

 sullied by Thames mud, or haranguing her troops at Tilbury 

 when an invasion of England was threatened. I venture to 

 think that ballads, nursery rhymes, and lyrics innumerable, attest 

 the fact that the life of our forefathers was much more alfresco 

 than is ours. When " all the maids of Islington went forth to 

 sport and play," it is safe to assume that the maidens of other 

 towns and hamlets did so also. The lover woos his mistress with 

 the promise of country joys : 



" Come, live with me and be my love 

 And we will all the pleasures prove 

 That hill and valley, dale and field 

 And all scraggy mountains yield." 



Again : 



" Ye little birds that sit and sing 



Amidst the shady valleys, 

 And see how Phillis sweetly walks 



Within her garden alleys, 

 Go, pretty birds, about her bower ; 

 Sing, pretty birds, she may not cower : 

 Ah me ! methinks I see her frown I 



Ye pretty warblers, warble ! " 



And Herrick, to Corinna gone a-maying sings : 



" 'Tis sin, 



Nay, profanation to keep in, 

 Whereas a thousand virgins on this day 

 Spring, sooner than the lark, to fetch in May." 



Old songs tell the same story it is everywhere the outdoor call 

 that is strong. 



" Come, lasses and lads, get leave of your dads 

 And away to the Maypole hie." 



Or: 



" Boys and girls, come out to play, 

 The moon doth shine as bright as day." 

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