Intro. to _Br. Pastorals_ by CHRISTOPHER BROOKE.
If one is airily told one may pluck _bays_ from a _laurel_ bush, it is impossible to know which is really meant, and a certain confusion between the two is inevitable. William Browne, who took, or pretended to take, seriously the view that bays could not be hurt by thunder, brings forward an ingenious theory to account for it. It is that “being the materials of poets ghirlands, it is supposed not subject to any of Jupiter’s thunderbolts, as other trees are.
“Where Bayes still grow (by thunder not struck down), The victor’s garland and the poet’s crown.”
Besides being a prophet of evil, the Bay-tree was also a token of joy and triumph. “In Rome, they use it to trim up their _Churches_ and _Monasteries_ on Solemn _Festivals_ ... as also on occasion of Signal _Victories_ and other joyful Tidings; and these _Garlands_ made up with _Hobby-Horse Tinsel_, make a glittering show and rattling Noise when the _Air_ moves them”; also, “With the _Leaves_ of _Laurel_ they made up their _Despatches_ and Letters _Laurus involutoe_, wrapt in Bay-leaves, which they sent the Senate from the victorious General.” Imagine a “victorious General” now sitting down to label despatches with leaves, signifying triumph! “Ere Reuter yet had found his range,” how much better the art of becoming ceremonial was understood.
Finally, the Bay was regarded as a panacea for all ailments, and, therefore, the statue of Æsculapius was crowned with its leaves.
I append to this book a copy of the List of Herbs that Tusser gives in “March’s Abstract.” It will be seen that he has carefully classified them according to their suitability for stilling, strewing, bough-pots or kitchen.
[84] “Book of Notable Things,” C. Lupton.
In March and in April, from morning to night, In sowing and setting, good housewives delight; To have in a garden or other like plot, To trim up their house, and to furnish their pot.
The nature of flowers, dame Physic doth shew; She teacheth them all, to be known to a few, To set or to sow, or else sown to remove, How that should be practised, pain if ye love.
Time and ages, to sow or to gather be bold, But set to remove, when the weather is cold. Cut all thing or gather, the moon in the wane, But sow in encreasing or give it his bane.