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

And young men round about with maydes doe daunce in every street,

With garlands wrought of mother-wort, or else of vervaine sweet,

And many other flowers faire, with violets in their hands;

Where as they all doe fondly thinke that whosoever stands,

And thorow the flowers behold the flame, his eyes shall feele no paine.

When thus till night they daunced have, they throgh the fire amaine

With striving mindes doe run, and all their herbs they cast therein;

And then, with words devout and prayers, they solemnly begin,

Desiring God that all their illes may there confounded be;

Whereby they thinke, through all that yeare, from agues to be free."[328:C]