And the Fairy, talking to Puck, in the '‘Midsummer-night’s 
Dream”—that “ paradise of dainty devices”—says, in sjDeaking 
of Titania— 
The cowslips tall her pensioners be; 
In their gold coats’ spots you see ; 
Tliose be rubies, fairy favours, 
In those freckles live their savours : 
I must go seek some dewdrops here. 
And hang a pearl in every cowslip’s ear. 
Herrick alludes to the cowslip gatherers in his sweet verses 
TO MEDDOWES. 
Ye have been fresh and green. 
Ye have been filled with fiowres, 
And ye the walks have been 
Where maids have spent their houres. 
Ye have beheld how they 
With wicker arks did come. 
To kisse and beare away 
The richer cowslips home. 
Y’ave heard them sweetly sing. 
And seen them in a round; 
Each virgin, like a spring, 
With honeysuccles crown’d. 
But now, we see none here. 
Whose silverie feet did tread. 
And with dishevell’d haire 
Adorned this smoother mead. 
Like unthrifts, having spent 
Your stock, and needy grown, 
Y’are left here to lament 
Your poor estates alone. 
