liH 



That no one though he were near walking by 

 Might there within scarce any one espy. 



:;: Jf: * * * * * 



So thick the branches and the leafage green 



Beshades all the alleys that there were. 



And 'midst of ev'ry herbere might be seen 



; The sharp and green sweet-scented juniper, 



Growing so fair with branches here and there. 



That, as it seemed to any one without. 



The branches spread the herbere all about. 



:!: H: ^ H: H: H: ^ 



And on the slender green-leaved branches sat 

 The little joyous nightingales, and sang 



So loud and dear, the carols consecrat 



To faithfol love. ^^^ j^^^^ j „^ scotla„i. 



( written while imprisoned in Windsor Castle.) 



The herb-plot was one of the most important 

 items in a mediaeval garden, for here were grown not 

 only herbs and roots [for healing, but also sweet- 

 scented mint and thyme for mingling with the rushes 

 strewn on the floor. Sometimes the rushes them- 

 selves were fragrant, and such, lemon-scented when 

 crushed, may even to-day be found in the neighbor- 

 hood of Oxford, probably growing in the very place 

 which at one time supplied many a college hall with 

 its carpet of fresh green. ^^.^^ j^^^^ ^^^^^ 



A mediaeval garden girdled fair 



With heart's-ease, mignonette and marigold, 

 Where dreams abide, where dwells not any cold 



Nor cloud to mar the hyacinthine air; 



An orchard close where wander debonair 

 Maidens, in sapphire kirtles, aureoled 

 With almond blossoms, lilting Ipve-songs old, 



Despite the presage of some pale despair ; 



