PLANT-LORE OF SHAKESPEARE 
166 
around the head of the Blessed Virgin.” This is ingenious, 
and, as he adds, “ thus say the old writers,” it is worth quoting, 
though he does not say what old writer gave this derivation, 
which I am very sure is not the true one. The old name is 
simply goldes. Gower, describing the burning of Leucothoe, 
says— 
‘ ‘ She sprong up out of the molde 
Into a flour, was named Golde, 
Which stant governed of the Sonne.” 
Conf. A man., lib. quint. 
Chaucer spoke of the “ yellow Goldes; ” 1 in the “ Promptorium 
Parvulorum ” we have “ Goolde, herbe, solsequium, quia sequitur 
solem, elitropium, calendula; ” and Spenser says— 
“And if I her like ought on earth might read 
I would her liken to a crowne of Lillies, 
Upon a virgin brydes adorned head, 
With Roses dight and Goolds and Daffadillies.” 
Colin Clout. 
But it was its other quality of opening or shutting its flowers 
at the sun’s bidding that made the Marigold such a favourite 
with the old writers, especially those who wrote on religious 
emblems. It was to them the emblem of constancy in affection, 2 
and sympathy in joy and sorrow, though it was also the emblem 
of the fawning courtier, who can only shine when everything is 
bright. As the emblem of constancy, it was to the old writers 
what the Sunflower was to Moore— 
“ The Sunflower turns on her god when he sets 
The same look which she did when he rose.” 
1 “That werud of yolo Guides a garland .”—The Knightes Tale. 
2 “You the Sun to her must play, 
She to you the Marigold, 
To none but you her leaves unfold.” 
Middleton and Rowley, The Spanish Gipsy. 
See also Thynne’s “Emblems,” No. 18; and Cutwode’s “Caltha Poetarum,” 
1599, st. 18, 19. 
