HERBS O' GRACE 143 



With here and there a leaf of Bay 



Which still shall run along it. 

 Germander, Marjoram and Thyme, 



Which used are for strewing, 

 With Hyssop as an herb most prime 



Here is my wreath bestowing. 

 Then Balm and Mint to help make up 



My chaplet, and for trial 

 Costmary that so likes the cup ; 



Next to it Pennyroyal. 

 Then Burnet shall bear up with this, 



Whose leaf I greatly fancy, 

 Sweet Camomile doth not amiss 



With Savory and some Tansy. 

 Then here and there I '11 put a sprig 



Of Rosemary into it, 

 Thus, not too little nor too big, 



It 's done, if I can do it." 



The August sun crisping the foliage and ripening the 

 seeds before we can snip the pods from the annuals has 

 brought the herb harvest to its prime. This is one of the 

 events of summer in the garden, and all else is put aside 

 to make the best of it. It is not safe to wait until to- 

 morrow, when the heat has dried the pungent leaves and 

 the sap lost some of its fire, but, on the very day that the 

 plants have reached maturity and the full glory of their 

 growing, approach them with a devout heart, bearing 



