1 
82 SHAKESPEARE’S [ DAMSON. 
[Gerard describes six different Daisies, and states further that 
the juice of the leaves and root given to little dogs keepeth 
them from growing great (‘‘ Herbal,” s.v.).] 
Damson. 
My wife desired some damsons, 
ii, Kino Henry VI, ii. 1, ror. 
Or the plum-tree is many manner of kinds; but the 
Damascene is the best, that cometh out of Damask; only 
of this tree droppeth and cometh glue and fast gum, 
physicians say that it is profitable to medicine, and for to 
make ink for writers’ use. 
Bartholomew (Berthelet), bk. xvii. § 125. 
Darnel, 
Darnel and all the idle weeds that grow 
In our sustaining corn. 
King Lear, iv. 4, 5. 
Amonc the hurtful weeds, Darnel is the first. They 
grow in fields among wheat and barley of the corrupt and 
bad seed. They spring and flourish with the corn. The 
new bread wherein Darnel is eaten, hot, causeth drunken- 
ness; in like manner doth beer or ale wherein the seed 
is fallen, or put into the malt. Darnel hurteth the eyes, 
and maketh them dim, if it happen in corn either for 
bread or drink. Gerard's “ Herbal,” 5.0. 
Date. 
Your date is better in your pie and your porridge than in your 
cheek. 
Aut’s Wait ruat Enns Wet, i. 1, 173. 
TuereE is made hereof both by the cunning confectioners 
and cooks divers excellent cordial, comfortable and nourish- 
ing medicines, and that procure lust of the body very 
mightily. The ashes of the Date-stones heal falling away 
of the hair of the eye-lids, being applied together with 
spikenard. Gerard’s “Herbal,” 5.2, 
