HERBS USED IN DECORATIONS, ETC. 127 



Lavender Cotton {Santolina). 

 Lavender Cotton is a little grey plant with " very finely 

 cut leaves, clustered buttons of a golden colour and of a 

 sweet smell and is often used in garlands and in decking 

 up of gardens and houses." The French called it Petit 

 Cyprez and Guards Robe, from which it may be inferred 

 that it was one of the herbs laid in chests among furs and 

 robes. Tusser counts it among his "strewing herbes," 

 and it is now chiefly used as an edging to beds or borders. 



MeADOW-SweET {Spiraa Ulmaria). 



Bring, too, some branches forth of Daphne's hair, 

 And gladdest myrtle for the posts to wear, 

 With spikenard weav'd and marjorams between 

 And starr'd with yellow-golds and meadows-queen. 



Paris Anniversary. — Ben Jonson, 



Amongst these strewing herbs, some others wild that grow, 

 As burnet, all abroad, and meadow-wort they throw. 



Polyolbion, Song x\'. 

 Shi. The glow-room lights, as day is failing 



Dew is falling over the field. 

 He. The meadow-sweet its scent is exhaling, 

 Honeysuclcles their fragrance yield. 

 Together. Then why should we be all the day toiling ? 



Lads and lasses, along with me I 

 She. There's JacJi o' Lantern lustily dancing, 



In the marsh with flickering flame. 

 He. And Daddy-long-legs, spinning and prancing. 



Moth and midge are doing the same. 

 Chorus. Then why should we, etc. 



S. Baring-Goulo. 

 Where peep the gaping speckled cuckoo-flowers 

 The meadow-sweet flaunts high its showy wreath 

 And sweet the quaking grasses hide beneath. 



Summer. — Clare. 

 Shall I strew on thee rose or rue or laurel ? 

 Or quiet sea flower moulded by the sea, 

 Or simples and growth of meadow-sweet or sorrel. 



Alie Atque Vale. — SwiNBURNE. 



Pale Iris growing where the streams wind slowly 

 Round the smooth shoulders of untrodden hills, 

 White meadow-sweet and yellow daffodils. 



Phteeia N. Hopper. 



