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82 — Theoneand twentieth Booke 
by a generall expence,that he fhould be honourably enterred : and as hiscorpes was carried in @ 
the ftreets to his funeral fire,they flung flowers upon his bere out of every window all the way.In 
thofe daics the manner was to honour the gods with Chaplets of flowers, and namely thofe that — 
were counted patronesand protectours, as well of citties and countries,as of privat families ; to 
adorne and beautifie therewith the tombes and fepulchres of thofe that were deparied,as alfo to 
pacifie their ghofts,and other infernal] fpirits : farther than thus, there was no ufe of fuch Guir- 
lands allowed. Now of all thofe Chaplets, moft account was made of them wherein the flowers 
were platted. We find moreover, [hat the Sacrificers or Priefts of cars called Saly,were wont. 
in their folemnities and feafts (which were very fumptuous) to weare Coronets of fundrie flowers 
fowedtogether. Butafterwards, Chaplets of Rofeswere onely in credit and reputation : untill 
that in proceffe of time, the world grew to fuch fuperfluitie and fumptuous expence,thatnod 54 
Guirlands would pleafe men,but of the meere pretious and aromaticall leafe Malabathrum:and 
notcontent herewith,foone after there muftbe Chaplets fet from as farre as India,yea,and be-_ 
yond che Indians,& thofe wrought with needle work.And thericheft Coronet was thatthoughe 
to be,which confifted of the leaves of Nard: or els made of fine filke out of the Seres countrey, 
and thofe of {undrie colours,perfumed befides 8 all wet with coftly and odoriferous ointments, 
Further than thus they could not proceed: and fo our daintie wanton dames reft, contented hi- 
therto,and ufe no other Chaplets at this day, As forthe Greckes verely,they havewritten alfo 
feverall Treatifes concerning flowersand Garlands: and namely, Mucfihens and Call machuc, 
two renowined Phyficians,have compiled bookes of thofe Chaplets thacbe hurtfull to the brain 
and caufe head-ach, For even hereitvalfo lieth fome part of the prefervationof ourhealth,con- 7 
fidering that perfumes do refreth our {pirits,efpecially when we are fer at table to drinke liberal- 
ly andro make merrie, whiles the fubtile odour of flowers doth pierce to the brainefecretly ere 
we bee aware. VVhere,by the way,I cannot chufe but remember the devife of Queene Cleopatra, 
full of finewit, and as wicked and mifcheevous withall: For at what time as 4 atonie prepared 
the expeditionand journey of Adium again{t 4agu/lvs,and {tood in fome doubt and jealoufie 
of the {aid Queensfor all the faire dhew that fhe made of gratifying him and doing himall plea- 
fure,he wasat histafter,and would neither eat nor crinke at her cable withoutaflay made.C /eopan 
traieeing how timorous he was,and minding yetto make good fportand game athisneedlefle, — 
feare and foolith curiofitie,caufed a Chaplet tobee made for 4, Aatonizs, having before dipped . 
aa 
all rhe tips and edges of the flowers that wenttoitin a {trong and ranke poyfon,and beeing thus) a 
prepared, fet itupon the head of the faid Amtonie. Now, when they had fitcen at meatja good: 
while,and drunke chemfelves merrie, the Queen began to makea motion and challenge to 2a 
tonie for to drinke each of them their Chaplers;and withall began unto him inacup of winefea- 
foned and fpiced(as it were) with thofe flowers which fhe ware her owne felfe. Oh the fhrewd and 
unhappie wit of a woman when fhe is {co difpofed ! whowopld ever have mifdoubted any danger 
of hidden mifcheefe herein ? Well, 47, Antonie yeelded to pledge her: off gocth hisown Guire, 
Jand,and with the flowers minced {mall,dreffeth his owne cup. Now when he wasdbouttofet ir. ° 
to his head,C/eopatra prefently puz her band betweene, and ftaied him from drinking, and with; 
all urtered thefe words, My deere heart and beft beloved 4itenie.now {ee what thee ts whom-fo, 
much thou doeit dread and ftand in feare of thatfor thy fecuritie there muft wait at thy cupand, L 
trencher extaordinarie tafters; a fttange and new fafhion ywis, and a curiofitie more nice than 
needful :!0, how] am not tofeeke of means and opportunities to compafle thy death, if 1could, 
find in my heart to live without thee. Which faid, fhe called for a prifonerimmediady our of the! 
Goale,whom fhe caufed to drinke off the wine which Axtonie had prepared for hinslelfe. No foo- 
net was the gobletfrom his lips againe,butthe poore wretch died prefently in the place. Butto, 
come againe tothe Phyficians who have writen of flowers befides thofe abovenamed . Thto« 
phrastws among the Greekes hath taken this argument in hand. Asfor our countreymen,fome- 
*OF flower g« have entituled their bookes *Anthologicon: butnone of themall, fo farre asever1 could find, 
sein. wrote any Treatife concerning flowers. Neitherisit any partofmy meaning at this prefent to, 
make Nofegaies,or plat any Chaplets,for that were aftivolous and vaine peece of worke: butas, M 
touching flowers themfelves,] purpofe to difcourfe fo much as I thinke and find to beememora- _ 
ble andworth the penning,But betore I enterinto this Treatife,I am to advertife the Reader that, 
we Romanes are acquainted with very few garden flowersfor Guirlands, andknow in manner 
none but Violets and Rofes. i | 
Cuap, 
