HERE damask Roses, white and red,
Out of my lap first take I,
Which still shall run along the thread,
My chiefest flower this make I.
Amongst these Roses in a row,
Next place I Pinks in plenty,
These double Pansies then for show;
And will not this be dainty?
The pretty Pansy then I'll tie,
Like stones some chain inchasing;
And next to them, their near ally,
The purple Violet placing.
The curious choice clove July flower,
Whose kind hight the Carnation,
For sweetnest of most sovereign power,
Shall help my wreath to fashion;
Whose sundry colours of one kind,
First from one root derived,
Them in their several suits I'll bind:
My garland so contrived.
A course of Cowslips then I'll stick,
And here and there (though sparely)
The pleasant Primrose down I'll prick,
Like pearls that will show rarely;
Then with these Marigolds I'll make
My garland somewhat swelling,
These Honeysuckles then I'll take,
Whose sweets shall help their smelling.
The Lily and the Fleur-de-lis,
For colour much contending;
For that I them do only prize,
They are but poor in scenting.
The Daffodil most dainty is,
To match with these in meetness;
The Columbine compared to this,
All much alike for sweetness.
These in their natures only are
Fit to emboss the border.
Therefore I'll take especial care
To place them in their order:
Sweet-williams, Campions, Sops-in-wine,
One by another neatly;
Thus have I made this wreath of mine,
And finished it featly.