200 



CHAPTER IX. 



MATERIALS USED IN DYEING. 



Along the sunny bank^ or watery mead, 



Ten thousand stalks the various blossoms spread. 



Peaceful and lowly in their native soil. 



They neither know to spin or care to toil ; 



Yet with confess'd magnificence deride 



Our vile attire, and impotence of pride. 



The cowslip smiles, in brighter yellow dress'd 



Than that which veils the nubile virgin's breast ; 



A fairer red stands blushing on the rose. 



Than that which on the bridegroom's vestment flows. 



Take but the humble lily of the field ; 



And, if our pride will to our reason yield. 



It must by sure comparison be shown 



That on the regal seat great David's son, 



Array'd in all his robes and types of power, 



Shines with less glory than that simple flower." 



GoKGEOUs as are the colours of flowers^ they afford but 

 little assistance to the dyer^s art^ except in the patterns 



