Flower of Song 43 



Lo! that spotless creature of grace, 

 so gentle, so small, so winsomely lithe, 

 riseth up in her royal array — 

 a precious thing with pearls bedight. 

 Favored mortals there might see 

 choicest pearls of sovereign price, 

 when all as fresh as a Fleur-de-lys 

 she came adown that bank. 



Anon.: Pearl. {14th Century.) 



The Naids and the nymphs extremely overjoyed, 

 And on the winding banks all busily employed. 

 Upon this joyous day, some dainty chaplets twine: 

 ***** 



Thus having told you how the bridgroom Thames was drest, 

 I'll show you how the bride fair Iris was invest; 



***** 



Sweet marjoram, with her like sweet basil rare for smell. 

 With many a flower, whose name were now too long to tell; 

 And rarely with the rest, the goodly Fleur-de-lis. 



Drayton: Polyolbion. 



Bring rich carnations, Flower-de-luces, liHes. 



Ben Jonson: Pan's Anniversary. 



The Flower-de-luce forth spread his heavenly hue. 



Gawain Douglas: Veranl Season. 



