FINESSE. 
103 
ger of much beauty, and but lately obtained 
from Constantinople, where because, as it 
is said, the great Turk, as we call him, saw 
it abroad, liked it, and wore it himself, all 
his vassals had it in great regard, and it hath 
been obtained from them by some that have 
sent it into these parts.” And he adds, 
“ the Turks themselves do call it the sul¬ 
tan’s flower, and I have done so likewise, 
that it may be distinguished from all the 
other kindes.” It is also very commonly 
called Blackamoor’s Beauty. We are told 
that, in the east, it is made the emblem of 
supreme happiness. 
FINESSE. 
SWEET WILLIAM. 
Sweet William small has form and aspect bright, 
Like that sweet flower that yields great Jove delight. 
COWLEY. 
The brilliant colours of the large coin¬ 
pact umbels of this flower, has led Phillips 
to consider it as “ Flora’s colour palette, on 
which she has frolicked, varying her favourite 
dyes to display all her gayest tints of reds 
and purples, mingled with pure white and 
jetty black, disposed in stars, as thickly set, 
and as bright as the eyes of Argus; so that 
one stem supports a large and brilliant 
bouquet.” 
