Flowers from Shakespeare's Garden: A Posy from the Plays

“O, PROSERPINA, For the flowers now, that, frighted, thou lett’st fall From Dis’s wagon!

daffodils, That come before the swallow dares, and take The winds of March with beauty;

violets, dim But sweeter than the lids of Juno’s eyes

pale primroses, That die unmarried, ere they can behold Bright Phœbus in his strength, a malady Most incident to maids;

The marigold that goes to bed with the sun, And with him rises weeping;”

Perdita. Winter’s Tale Act: IV. Sc. III.

“The fairest flowers o’ the season Are our carnations,”

Perdita. Winter’s Tale Act: IV. Sc. III.

“Their lips were four red roses on a stalk, Which in their summer beauty kissed each other”

“Enter OPHELIA, fantastically dressed with straws and flowers.”

“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance;

—and there is pansies, that’s for thoughts.”

—there’s rue for you; and here’s some for me: —we may call it, herb-grace o’ Sundays:—

“I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,—

Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,

“CERES, most bounteous lady, thy rich lees Of wheat, rye, barley.”

“Allons! allons! sowed cockle reap’d no corn.”

“Get you some of this distilled Carduus Benedictus and lay it to your heart;—” “Why Benedictus? You have some moral in this Benedictus” “Moral? No, by my troth. I have no moral meaning: I meant, plain Holy thistle”

Much Ado about Nothing, Act iii., Sc. 4.

“The female ivy so Enrings the barky fingers of the elm”