XIX.
Then called she all flowers grew in the field,
Describing all their fashions and effeirs,
Upon the awful THISTLE she beheld.
And saw him guarded with a bush of spears,
Considering him so able for the wars,
A radiant crown of rubies she him gave,
And said, in field go forth, and fend the laif.
XX.
And since thou art a King, be thou discreet,
Herb without value hold not of such price,
As herb of virtue and of odour sweet;
And let no nettle vile, and full of vice,
Her fellow with the goodly Flower-de-lyce;
Nor let no wild weed full of churlishness,
Compare her to the Lilly's nobleness.
XXI.
Nor hold none other flower in such dainty
As the fresh ROSE, of colour red and white;
For if thou dost, hurt is thine honesty,
Considering that no flower is so perfyte,
So full of pleasaunce, virtue and delight;
So full of blissful angelic beauty,
Imperial birth, honour and dignity.
XXII.
Then to the ROSE she did her visage turn,
And said, O lusty daughter most benign,
Above the Lilly thou art illustrious born,
From royal lineage rising fresh and young,
But any spot, or macul doing sprung;
Come bloom of joy, with richest gems becrown'd,
For o'er the laif thy beauty is renown'd.
A costly crown with stones clarified bright,
This comely Queen did in her head inclose,
While all the land illumined of light;
Wherefore methought, the flowers did all rejoyce,
Crying at once, Hail to the fragrant ROSE!
Hail Empress of the herbs! fresh Queen of flowers!
To thee be glore and honour at all hours.