Shakspeare and His Times [Vol. 1 of 2] / Including the Biography of the Poet; criticisms on his genius and writings; a new chronology of his plays; a disquisition on the on the object of his sonnets; and a history of the manners, customs, and amusements, superstitions, poetry, and elegant literature of his age

by Nathan Drake

To make you garlands of."[185:A]

A custom somewhat allied to this, that of scattering flowers on the streams at shearing time, has been long observed in the south-west of England, and is thus alluded to as an ancient rite by Dyer, in his beautifully descriptive poem entitled The Fleece:

——— "With light fantastic toe, the nymphs

Thither assembled, thither ev'ry swain;

And o'er the dimpled stream a thousand flowers,

Pale lilies, roses, violets and pinks,

Mixt with the greens of burnet, mint and thyme,

And trefoil, sprinkled with their sportive arms.

Such custom holds along the irriguous vales,

From Wreakin's brow to rocky Dolvoryn,