55
And the Fairy, talking to Puck, in the "Midsummer-night's Dream"—that "paradise of dainty devices"—says, in speaking of Titania—
The cowslips tall her pensioners be;
In their gold coats' spots you see;
Those be rubies, fairy favours,
In those freckles live their savours:
I must go seek some dewdrops here,
And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear.
Herrick alludes to the cowslip gatherers in his sweet verses
TO MEDDOWES,
Ye have been fresh and green,
Ye have been filled with flowres,
And ye the walks have been
Where maids have spent their houres.
Ye have beheld how they
With wicker arks did come,
To kisse and beare away
The richer cowslips home.
Y'ave heard them sweetly sing,
And seen them in a round:
Each virgin, like a spring,
With honysuccles crown'd.
But now, we see none here,
Whose silverie feet did tread,
And with dishevell'd haire
Adorned this smoother mead.
Like unthrifts, having spent
Your stock, and needy grown,
Y'are left here to lament
Your poor estates alone.
