ROSEMARY. | NATURAL HISTORY. 263. 
[Rosemary was used both at weddings and funerals. ‘There 
will be charges saved too; the same Rosemary that serves for 
the funeral will serve for the wedding” (Middleton, “The Old 
Law,” iv. 1, 36). So also Herrick's ‘* Hesperides,” ‘“‘ The Rose-: 
mary Branch”: 
Grow for two ends, it matters not at all 
Be ’t for my bridal, or my burial. 
From the same author we learn that the Rosemary was. 
gilded: 
My wooing’s ended; now my wedding’s near, 
When gloves are given, gilded be you there. 
(«To Rosemary and Bays.”)] 
Tue last of the flowers is the Rosemary (Rosmarinus, the 
Rosemary is for married men), the which by name, nature. 
and continued use, man challengeth as properly belonging 
to himself. It over-toppeth all the flowers in the garden, 
boasting man’s rule. It helpeth the brain, strengtheneth the 
memory, and is very medicinable for the head. Another 
property of the Rosemary is, it affects the heart. Let this 
Rosmarinus, this flower of men, ensign of your wisdom, love 
and loyalty, be carried not only in your hands, but in your 
heads and hearts, 
Roger Hackett, ‘A Wedding Present,” quoted in 
Brana’s “Popular Antiquities,” vol. ii. 49. 
Tue Rosemary that was washed in sweet water to set out 
the bridal is now wet in tears to furnish her burial. 
Thos. Dekker, “The Wonderful Year 1603.” 
Tue price of flowers, herbs and garlands rose wonder- 
fully [during the plague-time], insomuch that Rosemary 
which had wont to be sold for 12 pence an armful went 
now for six shillings a handful. Ibid. 
Awnp stuck her with Rosemary to sweeten her; she was 
tainted ere she came to my hands. 
Middleton, ‘The Old Law,” iv. 1, 12. 
