EVANS'S COLLECTION

OF

OLD BALLADS.

I.

"A Nosegaie alwaies sweet, for Lovers to send for Tokens of Love, at Newyeres Tide, or for fainings as they in their minds shall be disposed to write."

Reprinted from a very rare volume entitled a "Handefull of pleasant Delites," by Clement Robinson and divers others; printed by Richard Ihones, 1584, 12mo.

The following Ballad is well entitled to a place in this Collection from its own merits; but acquires additional interest f om the allusion made to it by the frantic Ophelia, when strewing the flowers in her phrensy. "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance, &c Hamlet, Act IV. Scene 5.

A NOSEGAY lacking flowers fresh,

To you now do I send,

Desiring you to look thereon,
When that you may intend:

Vide

For flowers fresh begin to fade,
And Boreas in the field,
E'en with his hard congealed frost,
No better flowers doth yield.

But if that winter could have sprung,
A sweeter flower than this,
I would have sent it presently
Το you withouten miss:

Accept this then as time doth serve,
Be thankful for the same,
Despise it not but keep it well,

And mark each flower his name.

Lavender is for Lovers true,

Which evermore be fain:

Desiring always for to have

Some pleasure for their pain: And when that they obtained have, The love that they require, Then have they all their perfect joy, And quenched is the fire.

Rosemary is for Remembrance,

Between us day and night, Wishing that I might always have You present in my sight.

And when I cannot have,

As I have said before,

Then Cupid with his deadly dart,
Doth wound my heart full sore.

Sage is for Sustenance,

That should man's life sustain,
For I do still lie languishing,
Continually in pain,

And shall do still until I die,
Except thou favour shew,

My pain, and all my grievous smart,
Full well you do it know.

Fennel is for Flatterers,

An evil thing it's sure,
But I have always meant truly,
With constant heart most pure:
And will continue in the same
As long as life doth last,
Still hoping for a joyful day
When all our pains be past.

Violet is for Faithfulness,

Which in me shall abide,

Hoping likewise that from your heart, You will not let it slide :

And will continue in the same,
As you have now begun,
And then for ever to abide,

Then you my heart have won.

Thyme is to try me,

As each be tried must;

Trusting you know, while life doth last,
I will not be unjust :

And if I should I would that God
To hell my soul should bear,
And eke also that Belzebub,

With teeth he should me tear.

Roses are to rule me,

With reason as you will,
For to be still obedient,

Your mind for to fulfill:
And thereto will not disagree,
In nothing that you say,
But will content your mind truly,
In all things that I may.

Gillyflowers is for Gentleness,
Which in me shall remain,
Hoping that no sedition shall

Depart our heart in twain:

As soon the sun shall loose his course,
The moon against her kind,

Shall have no light, if that do
Once put you from my mind.

Carnations are for Gratiousness,
Mark that now by the way,
Have no regard to flatterers,

Nor pass not what they say,
For they will come with lying tales,
Your ears for to fulfill:

In any case do you consent
Nothing unto their will,

Marigold is for Marriage,

That would our minds suffice,
Least that suspicion of us twain,
By any means should rise:
As for my part I do not care,
Myself I will still use,

That all the women in the world
For you I will refuse.

Pennyroyal is to print your Love,
So deep within my heart,

That when you look this nosegay on,
My pain you may impart,