ANTHEOLOGIA OR The Speech of FLOWERS.  
LONON, Printed for John Stafford, and are tobe sold at his House, at the George at Fleet-bridge. 1655.   

 map of garden 
Anthologia. or The Speech of Flowers. Partly moral, Partly mystical.   
Sold by john Stafford near Fleet bridge. 1655   

To my much Honoured Friend, William Stafford Esquire, Merchant of Bristol.  
Worthy Sir,  
IN this plundering age, wherein the fludies of so many have been ransacked, and many papers intended for private solace and contentment have been exposed to public view, it was my fortune to light on the ensuing discourse: It seemed to me pity that it should be strangled in obscurity, as conceiving it might conduce something to the delight of the Reader; for surely no ingenuous person can be so constantly serious, ye a surly and Critical, but to allow some intervals of refreshment not only as lawful but necessary.  
Let such morose, yea mischievous spirits pine themselves to walking Anatomies, who brand all refection of the mind by ludicrous intermissions to be unlawful, to spare an heavier censure (which may more resent of anger) the worst I wish them is always to eat their meat without sauce, and let them try whether their palate will be pleased with the gust thereof.  
In the following discourse there is nothing presented but sweet Flowers and herbs: I could wish it had been in the summer time, when the heat of the Sun might have improved their fragrancy to the greatest advantage and rendered them more acceptable to the smell of the Reader: Being now sadly sensible that Autumn the Usher of winter will abate of their sweetness, and present them much to their loss.  
Sure I am no bitter Coloquintida appeareth this our Herbal; I mean no tart and toothed reflections on any. Dull are those wits which cannot make some smile, except they make others cry, having no way to work a delight and complacency in the Reader, save only by gashing, wounding and abusing the credits of others.  
It is desired, that this discourse may but find as much candidness as it brings, and be entertained according to his own innocency. I have heard a story of an envious man, who had no other way to be revenged of his Neighbour, who abounded with store of Bee-hives, then by poisoning all the Flowers in his own Garden wherein his Neighbour's Bees took their constant repast, which infection caused a general mortality in all the winged cattles of his Neighbour.  
I hope none have so spleneticke a design against this my harmless Treatise, as to invenome my flowers with pestilent and unintended interpretations, as if any thing more than flowers were meant in the flowers, or as if they had so deep a root under ground, that men must mine to understand some concealed and profound mystery therein, surely this Mythology is a Cabinet which needeth no key to unlock it, the lid or cover lieth open.  
Let me entreat you Sir to put your hana into this Cabinet, and after therein you find what may please or content you, the same will be as much contentment unto your  
True Friend, J. S.   

ANTHEOLOGIA, OR The Speech of Flowers.  
THere was a place in Thessaly (and I am sorry to say there was a place in Thessaly, for though the place be there still, yet it is not itself. The bones thereof remain, not the Flesh and Colour. The standards of Hills and Rivers; not the Ornaments of Woods, Bowers, Groves and Banqueting-houses. These long since are defaced by the Turks, whose barbarous natures wage war with civility itself, and take a delight to make a Wilderness where before their conquest they found a Paradise.)  
This place is some five miles in length, and though the breadth be Corrival with the length to equalise the same, and may so seem at the first sight; yet it falleth short upon exact examimination, as extending but to four miles. This place was by the Poets called Tempe, as the Abridgement of Earthly happiness, showing that in short hand, which the whole world presented in a larger character, no earthly pleasure was elsewhere afforded, but here it might be found in the height thereof.  
Within this Circuit of ground, there is still extant, by the rare preservation of the owner, a small Scantlin of some three Acres, which I might call the Tempe of Tempe, and re-epitomized the delicacies of all the rest. It was divided into a Garden, in the upper Part whereof Flowers did grow, in the lower, Herbs, and those of all sorts and kinds. And now in Spring time earth did put on her new , though had some cunning Herald beheld the same, he would have condemned her Coat to have been of no ancient bearing, it was so overcharged with variety of Colours.  
For there was yellow Marigolds, walflowers, Auriculusses, Gold Knobs, and abundance of other nameless Flowers, which would pose a Nomenclator to call them by their distinct denominations. There was White, the Day's Eye, white roses, Lillyes, etc. Blue, Violet, Irisse, Red Roses, Pionies, etc. The whole field was vert or green, and all colours were present save sable, as too sad and doleful for so merry a meeting. All the Children of Flora being summoned there, to make their appearance at a great solemnity.  
Nor was the lower part of the ground less stored with herbs, and those so various, that if Gerard himself had been in the place, upon the beholding thereof, he must have been forced to a re-edition of his Herbal, to add the recruit of those Plants, which formerly were unseen by him, or unknown unto him.  
In this solemn Rendezvous of Flowers and Herbs, the Rose stood forth, and made an Oration to this effect.  
It is not unknown to you, how I have the precedency of all Flowers, confirmed unto me under the Patent of a double Sense, Sight, smell. What more curious Colours? how do all Dyer's blush when they behold my blushing, as conscious to themselves, that their Art cannot imitate that tincture, which Nature hath stamped upon me. Smell, it is not lusciously offensive, nor dangerously Faint, but comforteth with a delight, and delighteth with the comfort thereof: Yea, when Dead, I am more Sovereign than Living: What Cordials are made of my Syrups? how many corrupted Lungs (those Fans of Nature) sore wasted with consumption, that they seem utterly unable any longer to cool the heat of the Heart, with their ventilation, are with Conserves made of my stamped Leaves, restored to their former soundness again: More would I say in mine own cause, but that happily I may be taxed of pride, and self-flattery, who speak much in mine own behalf, & therefore I leave the rest to the judgement of such as hear me, and pass from this discourse to my just complaint.  
There is lately a Flower (shall I call it so? in courtesy I will term it so, though it deserve not the appellation) a Toolip, which hath engrafted the love and affections of most people unto it; and what is this Toolip? a wellcomplexioned stink, an ill savour wrapped up in pleasant colours: As for the use thereof in Physic, no Physician hath honoured it yet with the mention, nor with a Greek, or Latin name, so inconsiderable hath it hitherto been accounted; and yet this is that which filleth all Gardens, hundred of pounds being given for the root thereof, whilst I the Rose, am neglected and contemned, and conceived beneath the honour of noble hands, and sit only to grow in the gardens of Yeomen I trust the remainder to your apprehensions, to make out that, which grief for such undeserved injuries will not suffer me to express.  
Hereat the Rose wept, and the dropping of her white tears down her red cheeks, so well becomed her, that if ever sorrow was lovely, it than appeared so, which moved the beholders to much compassion, her Tears speaking more than her tongue, in her own behalf.  
The Tool●p stood up insolently, as rather challenging then craving respect from the Commonwealth of Flowers there present, & thus vaunted itself.  
I am not solicitous what to return to the complaint of this Rose, whose own demerit hath justly outed itself of that respect, which the mistaken world formerly bestowed upon it, and which men's eyes, now opened, justly reassume, and confer on those who better deserve the same. To say that I am not more worthy than the Rose, what is it, but to condemn mankind, and to arraign the most Gentle and knowing among men of ignorance, for misplacing their affections: Surely Vegetables must not presume to mount above Rationable creatures, or to think that men are not the most competent judges of the worth and value of Flowers. I confess there is yet not known sovereign virtue in my leaves, but it is injurious to infer that I have none, because as yet not taken notice of. If we should examine all, by their intrinsic values, how many contemptible things in Nature would take the upperhand of those which are most valued; by this argument a Flintstone would be better than a Diamond, as containing that spark of fire therein, whence men with combustible matter may heat themselves in the coldest season: and clear it is, that the Loadstone, (that grand Pilot to the North, which findeth the way there in the darkest night) is to be preferred before the most orient Pearl in the world: But they will generally be condemned for unwise, who prise things according to this proportion.  
Seeing therefore in stones and minerals, that those things are not most valued, which have most virtue, but that men according to their eyes and fancies raise the reputation thereof, let it not be interpreted to my disadvantage, that I am not eminently known for any cordial operation; perchance the discovery hereof is reserved for the next age, to find out the latent virtue which lurketh in me: And this I am confident of, that Nature would never have hung out so gorgeous a sign, if some guest of quality had not been lodged therein; surely my leaves, had never been feathered with such variety of colours, (which hath proclaimed me the King of all Lilies) had not some strange virtue, whereof the world is yet ignorant, been treasured up therein.  
As for the Rose, let her thank herself, if she be sensible of any decay in esteem, I have not ambitiously affected superiority above her, nor have I fraudulently endeavoured to supplant her: only I should have been wanting to myself, had I refused those favours from Ladies, which their importunity hath pressed upon me: And may the Rose remember, how she out of causeless jealousy, maketh all hands to be her enemies that gather her; what need is there that she should garrison herself within her prickles? why must she set so many Thorns to lie constant perdue, that none must gather her, but such as suddenly surprise her; and do not all that crop her, run the hazard of hurting their fingers: This is that which hath weaned the world from her love, whilst my smooth stalk exposing Ladies to no such perils, hath made them by exchange to fix their removed affections upon me.  
At this stood up the Violet, and all prepared themselves with respectful attention, honouring the Violet for the Age thereof, for the Prim Risen alone excepted, it is Signior to all the Flowers in the year, and was highly regarded for the reputation of the experience thereof that durst encounter the cold, and had past many bitter blasts, whereby it had gained much wispome, and had procured a venerable respect, both to his person and Counsel.  
The case (saith the Violet) is not of particular concernment, but extendeth itself to the life and liberty of all the society of Flowers; the complaint of the Rose we must all acknowledge to be just and true, and ever since I could remember, we have paid the Rose a just tribute of Fealty as our Prime and principal As for this Toolip, it hath not been in being in our Garden above these sixty years: Our Fathers never knew that such a Flower would be, and perhaps our children may never know it ever was; what traveller brought it hither: I know not; they say it is of a Syrian extraction, but sure there it grew wild in the open fields, and is not beheld otherwise, than a gentler sort of weed: But we may observe that allforraign vices are made virtues in this country, foreign drunkenness is Grecian Mirth (thence the proverb, The merry Greek) foreign pride, Grecian good behaviour; foreign lust, Grecian love; foreign laziness, Grecian harmelessnesse; foreign weeds, Grecian Flowers. My judgement therefore is, that if we do not speedily eradicate this intruder (this Toolip) in process of time will out us all of our just possessions, seeing no Flower can pretend a clearer title than the Rose hath; and let us every one make the case to be his own.  
The gravity of the Violet so prevailed with the Senate of Flowers, that all concurred with his judgement herein; and such who had not the faculty of the fluentness of their tongues to express themselves in large Orations, thought that the well managing of a yea, or nay, spoke them as well wishing to the general good, as the expressing themselves in large Harangues; and these soberly concluded, that the Toolip should be rooted out of the Garden, and cast on the dunghill, as one who had justly invaded a place not due thereunto, and this accordingly was performed.  
Whilst this was passing in the upper house of the Flowers, no less were the transactions in the lower house of the herbs; where there was a general acclamation against Wormwood, the generality condemning it, as fit to grow in a ditch▪ then in a Garden: Wormwood hardly received leave to make its own defence, pleading in this manner for its innocency.  
I would gladly know whom I have offended in this commonwealth of Herbs, that there should be so general a conspiracy against me? only two things can be charged on me, commonness and bitterness; if commonness pass for a fault, you may arraign Nature itself, and condemn the best Jewels thereof, the light of the Sun, the benefit of the Air, the community of the Water, are not these staple commodities of mankind, without which no being or subsistence: if therefore it be my charity to stoop so low, as to tender myself to every place for the public service, shall that for which I deserve, if not praise, I need no pardon, be charged upon me as an offence.  
As for my bitterness, it is not a malicious & mischievous bitterness to do hurt, but a helpful & medicinal bitterness, whereby many cures are effected. How many have surfeited on honey? how many have digged their graus in a Sugar-loaf? how many diseases have been caused by the dulcor of many luscious sweetmeats? then am I sent for Physician to these patients, and with my brother Cardus (whom you behold with a loving eye, I speak not this to endanger him, but to defend myself) restore them (if temperate in any degree, and persuaded by their friends to taste of us) unto their former health. I say no more, but were all my patients now my pleaders, were all those who have gained health by me, present to intercede for me, I doubt not but to be reinstated in your good opinions.  
True it is, I am condemned for over▪ hot, and too passionate in my operation; but are not the best natures subject to this distemper? is it not observed that the most witty are the most choleric? a little overdoing is pardonable, I will not say necessary in this kind, nor let me be condemned as destructive to the sight, having such good opening, and abstergent qualities, that moderately taken, especially in a Morning, I am both food and Physic for a forenoon.  
It is strange to see how passion and self-interest sway in many things, more than the justice and merit of a cause; it was verily expected that Wormwood should have been acquitted, and readmitted a member in the society of Herbs: But what will not a Faction carry; Worme-woods friends were casually absent that very day, making merry at an entertainment; her enemies (let not that Sex be angry for making Wormwood feminine) appeared in a full body, and made so great a noise, as if some mouths had two tongues in them, and though some engaged very zealously in Wormwood's defence, yet overcharged with the Tyranny of Number, it was carried in the Negative, that Wormwood, alias absynthium, should be plucked up root and branch from the Garden, and thrown upon the Dunghill, which was done accordingly, where it had the woeful society of the Toolip, in this happy, that being equally miserable, they might be a comfort the one to the other, and spent many hours in mutual recounting their several calamities, thinking each to exceed the other in the relation thereof.  
Let us now amidst much sadness interweave something of more mirth and pleasantness in the Garden. There were two Roses growing upon one Bush, the one pale and wan with age, ready to drop off, as useful only for a Still: the other a young Bud, newly loosened from its green swaddling , and peeping on the rising Sun, it seemed by its orient colour to be died by the reflection thereof.  
Of these, the aged Rose thus began.  
Sister Bud, learn wit by my woe, and cheaply enjoy the free and full benefit of that purchase which cost me dear and bitter experience: Once I was like yourself, young and pretty, straight laced in my gree-Girdle, not swollen to that breadth and corpulency which now you behold in me, every hand which passed by me courted me, and persons of all sorts were ambitious to gather me: How many fair fingers of curious Ladies tendered themselves to remove me from the place of my abode; but in those days I was coy, & to tell you plainly foolish, I stood on mine own defence, summoned my lifeguard about me, commanded every prickle as so many Halberdiers, to stand to their Arms, defy those that durst touch me, protested myself a votary of constant virginity; frighted hereat, passengers desisted from their intentions to crop me, and left me to enjoy the sullen humour of my own reservedness.  
Afterwards the Sun beams wrought powerfully upon me, (especially about noontime) to this my present extent, the Orient colour which blushed so beautiful in me at the first, was much abated, with an overmixture of wanness and paleness therewith, so that the Green (or white sickness rather, the common penance for over-kept virginity▪ begun to infect me, and that fragrant sent of mine, began to remit and lessen the sweetness thereof, and I daily decayed in my natural perfume; thus seeing I daily lessened in the repute of all eyes and nostrils, I began too late to repent myself of my former frowardness; and sought that my diligence by an aftergame; should recover what my folly had lost; I pranked up myself to my best advantage, summoned all my sweetness to appear in the height thereof, recruited my decayed Colour, by blushing for my own folly, and wooed every hand that passed by me, to remove me.  
I confess in some sort it offers rape to a Maiden modesty, if forgetting their sex, they that should be all Ears, turn mouths, they that should expect, offer; when we women, who only should be the passive Counterparts of Love, and receive impression from others, boldly presume to stamp them on others, and by an inverted method of nature, turn pleaders unto men, and woo them for their affections. For all this there is but one excuse, and that is absolute necessity, which as it breaks through stonewalls, so no wonder if in this case it altars and transposes the Sexes, making women to man it in case of extremity, when men are wanting to tender their affections unto them.  
All was but in vain, I was entertained with scorn and neglect, the hardened hands of daily Labourers, brawned with continual work, the black hands of Moors, which always carry Night in their Faces, slighted and contemned me; yea, now behold my last hope is but to deck and adorn houses, and to be laid as a property in windows, till at last I die in the Hospital of some still, where when useless for any thing else, we are generally admitted. And now my very leaves begin to leave me, and I to be deserted and forsaken of myself.  
O how happy are those Roses, who are preferred in their youths; to be warm in the hands and breasts of fair Ladies, who are joined together with other flowers of several kinds in a Posy, where the general result of sweetness from them all, ravisheth the Smell by an intermixture of various colours, all united by their stalks within the same thread that bindeth them together.  
Therefore Sister Bud grow wise by my folly, and know it is far greater happiness to lose thy Virginity in a good hand, then to whither on the stalk whereon thou growest: accept of thy first and best tender, lest afterwards in vain thou court est the reversion of fragments of that feast of love, which first was freely tendered unto thee.  
Leave we them in their discourse, and proceed to the relation of the Toolip and Wormwood, now in a most pitiful condition, as they were lying on the Dunghill; behold a vast Giant Boar comes unto them; that which Hercules was said to kill, and which was accounted by some ●●e foreman of the jury of his Labours, was but a pygmy, or rather but a Pig, in comparison of this; and with his Tusks wherewith Nature had armed him to be his sword as his shoulders are his shield he began to rend and tear the Toolip and Wormwood, who exclaimed unto him as followeth.  
SIR,  
Pity useth always to be an attendant of a generous mind, & valiant spirit, for which I have heard you much commended. Cruelty is commonly observed to keep company with Cowardliness, and base minds, to triumph in cruel actions, behold we are the objects rather of your pity, whose sufferings may rather render us to the commiseration of any that justly consider our case. I the Toolip by a faction of flowers, was outed of the Garden, where I have as good a right and title to abide as any other: and this Wormwood, notwithstanding her just and long plea, how useful and cordial she was, was by a conspiracy of Herbs excluded the Garden, and both of us ignominiously confined to this place, where we must without all hopes quickly expire: Our humble request unto you is not to shorten those few minutes of our lives which are left unto us, seeing such prejudice was done to our Vitals (when our roots were mangled by that cruel eradication) that there is an impossibility of our long continuance: Let us therefore fairly breathe out our last breath, and antedate not our misery, but let us have the favour of a quiet close and conclusion.  
But if so be that you are affected with the destruction of flowers and herbs, know the pleasure and contentment therein must be far greater to root out those which are fairly flourishing in their prime, whereof plenty are in this Garden afforded, and if it please you to follow our directions, we will make you Master of a Pass, which without any difficulty shall convey you into the Garden; for though the same on all sides almost is either walled or paled about, yet in one place it is fenced with a Hedge only, wherein, through the neglect of the Gardener, (whose care it ought to be to secure the same) there is a hole left in such capacity, as will yield you an easy entrance thereinto: There may you glut yourself, and satiate your soul with variety of Flowers and herbs, so that an Epicure might have cause to complain of the plenty thereof.  
The Boar apprehends the motion, is sensible it was advantageous for him, and following their directions, he makes himself Master of his own desire. O the spitefulness of some Natures! how do they wreck their their anger on all persons: It was revenge for the Toolip and Wormwood, unless they had spitefully wronged the whole Corporation of Flowers, out of which they were ejected as useless and dangerous Members: And now consider how these two pride themselves in their own vindicative thoughts? how do they in their forerunning fancy antedate the death of all Herbs and Flowers. What is sweeter than revenge? how do they please themselves to see what are hot & cold in the first, second, third, and fourth degree, (which borders on poison) how all these different in their several Tempers, will be made friends in universal misery, and compounded in a general destruction.  
Little did either Flowers or Herbs think of the Boars approaching, who were solacing themselves with merry and pleasant discourse; and it will not be amiss to deceive time, by inserting the Courtship of Thrift a flower-Herb, unto the S, thus accosting her, just as the Boar entered into the Garden.  
Mistress, Of all Flowers that grow on Earth, give me leave to profess my sincerest affections to you: Compliments have so infected men's tongues (and grown an Epidemical fault, or as others esteem it, a fashionable accomplishment) that we know not when they speak truth, having made dissembling their language, by a constant usage thereof: But believe me Mistress my heart never entertained any other interpreter than my Tongue; and if there be a vein (which Anatomists have generally avouched, carrying intelligence from the heart to the lips) assure yourself that vein acts now in my discourse.  
I have taken signal notice of your accomplishments, and among many other rare qualities, particularly of this, your loyalty and faithfulness to the Sun, Sovereign to all Vegetables, to whose warming Beams, we own our being and increase: such your love thereunto, that you attend his rising, and therewith open, and at his setting shut your windows: True it is, that Helitropium (or turner with the Sun) hath a long time been attributed to the Sun-flower, a voluminous Giant like Flower, of no virtue or worth as yet discovered therein, but we all know the many and Sovereign virtues in your leaves, the Herb general in all pottage: Nor do you as Herb John stand neuter, and as too many now adays in our Commonwealth do, neither good nor ill (expecting to be acted on by the impression of the prevailent party) and otherwise warily engage not themselves; but you really appear sovereign and operative in your wholesome effects: The consideration hereof, and no other by reflection, hath moved me to the tender of my affections, which if it be candidly resented, as it is sincerely offered, I doubt not but it may conduce to the mutual happiness of us both.  
Besides know (though I am the unproperest person to trumpet forth my own praise) my name is Thrift, and my nature answereth thereunto; I do not prodigally waste those Lands in a moment, which the industry and frugality of my Ancestors hath in a long time advanced; I am no gamester to shake away with a quaking hand, what a more fixed hand did gain and acquire: I am none of those who in variety of , bury my quick estate as in a winding sheet; nor am I one of those who by cheats and deceits improve myself on the losses of others; no Widows have wept, no Orphans have cried for what I have offered unto them (this is not Thrift but rather Felony) nor own I any thing to my own body; I fear not to be arrested upon the action of my own carcase, as if my creditors should cunningly compact therewith, and quit scores, resigning their Bill and Bond unto mine own body, whilst that in requital surrendereth all obligations for food and  thereunto: Nor do I undertake to buy out Bonds in controversies for almost nothing, that so running a small hazard, I may gain great advantage, if my bargain therein prove successful. No, I am plain and honest Thrift, which none ever did, or will speak against, save such prodigal spendthrifts, who in their reduced thoughts, will speak more against themselves.  
And now it is in your power to accept or refuse what I have offered, which is the privilege which nature hath allotted for your feminine sex, which we men perchance may grudge and repine at, but it being past our power to amend it, we must permit ourselves as well as we may to the constant custom prevailing herein.  
The Marigold demurely hung down her head, as not overfond of the motion, and kept silence so long as it might stand with the rule of manners, but at last broke forth into the following return.  
I am tempted to have a good opinion of myself, to which all people are prone, and we women most of all, if we may believe your— of us, which herein I am afraid are too true: But Sir, I conceive myself too wise to be deceived by your commendations of me, especially in so large a way, and on so general an account, that other Flowers not only share with me, but exceed me therein: May not the Daies-eye not only be corrival with me; but superior to me in that quality, wherein so much you praise me; my vigilancy starteth only from the Suns rising, hers bears date from the dawning of the morning, & outruns my speed by many degrees: my virtue in pottage which you so highly commend, impute it not to my Modesty, but to my Guiltiness, if I cannot give it entertainment; for how many hundred Herbs which you have neglected exceed me therein.  
But the plain truth is, you love not me for myself, but for your advantage: It is Gold on the arrear of my name which maketh Thrift to be my Suitor: how often, and how unworthily have you tendered your affections, even to Pennyroyal, itself, had she not scorned to be courted by you.  
But I commend the Girl that she knew her own worth, though it was but a penny, yet it is a Royal one, and therefore not a fit match for every base Suitor, but knew how to value herself, and give me leave to tell you, that Matches founded on Covetousness never succeed: Profit is the Loadstone of your affections, Wealth, the attractive of your Love, Money the mover of your desire; how many hundreds have engaged themselves on these principles, and afterwards have bemoaned themselves for the same? But oh the uncertainty of wealth? how unable is it to explete & satisfy the mind of man: Such as cast Anchor thereat, seldom find fast ground, but are tossed about with the Tempests of many disturbances; these Wives for conveniency of profit and pleasure (when there hath been no further nor higher intent) have filled all the world with mischief and misery. Know then sir, I return you a flat denial, a denial that virtually contains many, yea as many as ever I shall be able to pronounce: My tongue knows no other language to you but No; score it upon women's dissimulation (whereof we are too guilty, and I at other times as faulty as any) but Sir, read my eyes, my face, and compound all together, and know these are the expressions dictated from my heart; I shall embrace a thousand deaths sooner, than your Marriagebed.  
Thus were they harmelessly discoursing, and feared no ill, when on a sudden they were surprised with the uncouth sight of the Boar, which had entered their Garden, following his prescribed directions, and armed with the Corslet of his Bristles, vaunted like a triumphant Conqueror round about the Garden, as one who would first make them suffer in their fear, before in their feeling; how did he please himself in the variety of the fears of the flowers, to see how some pale ones looked red, and some red ones looked pale; leaving it to Philosophers to dispute and decide the different effects should proceed from the same causes; and among all Philosophers, commending the question to the Stoics, who because they pretend an Antipathy, that they themselves would never be angry, never be mounted above the model of a common usual Temper, are most competent Judges, impartially to give the reason of the causes of the anger of others.  
And now it is strange to see the several ways the Flowers embraced to provide for their own security; there is no such Teacher as extremity; necessity hath found out more Arts, than ever ingenuity invented: The Wall-Gilly flower ran up to the top of the Wall of the Garden, where it hath grown ever since, and will never descend till it hath good security for its own safety; and being mounted thereon, he entertained the Boar with the following discourse.  
Thou basest and unworthiest of fourfooted Beasts; thy Mother the Sow, passeth for the most contemptible name, that can be fixed on any She: Yea, Pliny reporteth, that a Sow grown old, useth to feed on her own young; and herein I believe that Pliny, who otherwise might be straitened for fellow-witnesses, might find such who will attest the truth of what he hath spoken. men's Excrements is thy element, and what more cleanly creatures do scorn and detest, makes a feast for thee; nothing comes amiss unto thy mouth, and we know the proverb what can make a pan-cake unto thee: Now you are gotten into the Garden (shame light on that negligent Gardner, whose care it was to fence the same, by whose negligence and oversight, you have gotten an entrance into this Academy of Flowers and Herbs) let me who am your enenie give you some Counsel, and neglect it not, because it comes from my Mouth. You see I am without the reach of your Anger, and all your power cannot hurt me, except you be pleased to borrow wings from some Bird, thereby to advantage yourself, to reach my habitation.  
My Counsel therefore to you is this, be not Proud because you are Prosperous; who would ever have thought, that you could have entered this place, which we conceived was impregnable against any of your kind: Now because you have had success as fare above our expectations, as your deserts; show your own moderation in the usage thereof; to Master us is easy, to Master yourself is difficult. Attempt therefore that which as it is most hard to perform, so will it bring most honour to you when executed; and know, I speak not this in relation to myself (sufficiently privileged from your Tusks) but as acted with a public spirit, for the good of the Commonalty of Flowers; and if any thing hereafter betid you, other than you expect, you will remember that I am a Prophet, and foretell that which too late you will credit and believe.  
The Boar heard the words, and entertained them with a surly silence, as conceiving himself to be mounted above danger, sometimes he pitied the silliness of the Wall-flower, that pitied him, and sometimes he vowed revenge, concluding that the stones of the Wall would not afford it sufficiont moisture, for its constant dwelling there, but that he should take it for an advantage, when it descended for more sustenance.  
It is hard to express the panic fear in the rest of the flowers, and especially the small Prim-roses, begged of their Mothers that they might retreat into the middle of them, which would only make them grow bigger and broader, and it would grieve a pitiful heart to hear the child plead, and the mother so often deny.  
The Child began; dear Mother, she is but half a Mother that doth breed and not preserve, only to bring forth, and then to expose us to worldly misery, lessens your Love, and doubles our sufferings: See how this tyrannical Boar threatens our instant undoing; I desire only a Sanctuary in your bosom, a retreating place into your breast, and who fit to come into you, than she that came out of you; whether should we return, then from whence we came, it will be but one happiness, or one misfortune, together we shall die, or together be preserved; only some content and comfort will be unto me, either to be happy or unhappy in your company.  
The broader Primrose harkened unto these words with a sad countenance, as sensible in herself, that had not the present necessity hardened her affections, she neither would nor could return a deaf ear to so equal a motion. But now she rejoined.  
Dear Child, none can be more sensible than myself of Motherly affections, it troubles me more for me to deny thee, then for thee to be denied; I love thy safety where it is not necessarily included in my danger, the entertaining of thee will be my ruin and destruction; how many Parents in this age have been undone merely for affording house and home to such Children, whose condition might be quarrelled with as exposed to exception.  
I am sure of mine own innocency, which never in the least degree have offended this Boar, and therefore hope he will not offend me; what wrong and injury you have done him is best known to yourself; stand therefore on your own bottom, maintain your own innocence; for my part I am resolved not to be drowned for others hanging on me, but I will try as long as I can the strength of my own arms and legs; excuse me good child, it is not hatred to you, but love to myself, which makes me to understand my own interest. The younger Primrose returned.  
Mother, I must again appeal to your affections, despairing to find any other Judge to Father my cause; remember I am part of yourself, and have never by any undutifulness disobliged your affections; I profess also mine own integrity, that I never have offended this Boar, being more innocent therein then yourself, for alas my tender years entitles me not to any correspondency with him, this is the first minute (and may it be the last) that ever I beheld him; I reassume therefore my suit, supposing that your first denial proceeded only from a desire to try my importunity, and give me occasion to enforce my request with the greater earnestness: By your motherly bowels I conjure you (an exorcism which (I believe) comes not within the compass of superstition) that you tenderme in this my extremity, whose greatest ambition is to die in those arms from whence I first fetched my original. And then she left her tears singly to drop out the remainder, what her tongue could not express.  
The Affections of Parents may sometimes be smothered, but seldom quenched, and meeting with the blast or bellows from the submissive mouths of their Children, it quickly blazeth into a flame. Mother and daughter are like Tallies, one exactly answereth the other: The Mother Primrose could no longer resist the violence of her daughter's importunity, but opens her bosom for the present reception thereof, wherein ever since it hath grown doubled unto this day; and yet a double mischief did arise from this gemination of the Primrose, or inserting of the little one into the Bowels thereof.  
First, those Prim-roses ever since grow very slowly, and lag the last among all the Flowers of that kind; single Prim-roses beat them out of distance, and are arrived at their Mark a month before the other start out of their green leaves: yet it will not be hard to assign a natural cause thereof, namely, a greater power of the Sun is acquired to the production of greater Flowers, small degrees of heat will suffice to give a being to single Flowers, whilst double ones groaning under the weight of their own greatness, require a greater force of the Sunbeams to quicken them, and to spur their laziness, to make them appear out of their roots.  
But the second Mischief most concerns us, which is this, all single Flowers are sweeter, than those that are double; and here we could wish that a Jury of Florists were impanelled, not to eat, until such time as they were agreed in their verdict, what is the true cause thereof. Some will say that single leaves of Flowers, being more effectually wrought on by the Sunbeams, are rarified thereby, and so all their sweetness and perfume the more fully extracted; whereas double Flowers who lie as it were in a lump, and heap crowded together with its own leaves, the Sunbeams hath not that advantage singly to distil them, and to improve every particular leaf to the best advantage of sweetness: This sure I am, that the old Primrose sensible of the abatement of her sweetness, since she was clogged with the entertainment of her Daughter, half repenting that she had received her, returned this complaining discourse.  
Daughter, I am sensible that that the statutes of inmates, was founded on very good and solid grounds, that many should not be multiplied within the roof of one and the same house, finding the inconveniency thereof by lodging thee my own Daughter within my Bosom; I will not speak how much I have lost of my growth, the Clock whereof is set back a whole month by receiving of you; but that which most grieveth me, I perceive I am much abated in my sweetness (the essence of all Flowers) and which only distinguisheth them from weeds, seeing otherwise in Colours, weeds may contest with us in brightness and variety.  
Peace Mother (replied the small Primrose) conceive not this to be your particular unhappiness, which is the general accident falling out daily in common experience, namely, that the bigger and thicker people grow in their estates, the worse and less virtuous they are in their Conversations, our age may produce millions of these instances; I knew some ten years since many honest men, whose converse was familiar and fair, how did they court and desire the company of their neighbours, and mutually, how was their company desired by them? how humble were they in their carriage, loving in their expressions, and friendly in their behaviour, drawing the love and affections of all that were acquainted with them? But since being grown wealthy, they have first learned not to know themselves, and afterwards none of their neighbours; the brightness of much Gold and Silver, hath with the shine and lustre thereof so perstringed and dazzled their eyes, that they have forgotten those with whom they had formerly so familiar conversation; how proudly do they walk? how superciliously do they look? how disdainfully do they speak? they will not know their own Brothers and kindred, as being a kin only to themselves.  
Indeed such who have long been gaining of wealth, and have slowly proceeded by degrees therein, whereby they have learned to manage their minds, are not so palpably proud as others; but those who in an instant have been surprised with a vast estate, flowing in upon them from a fountain fare above their deserts, not being able to wield their own greatness, have been pressed under the weight of their own estates, and have manifested that their minds never knew how to be stewards of their wealth, by forgetting themselves in the disposing thereof.  
I believe the little Primrose would have be longer in her discourse, had not the approach of the Boar put an unexpected period thereunto, and made her break off her speech before the ending thereof.  
Now whilst all other flowers were struck into a panic silence, only two, the Violet, and the S continued their discourse, which was not attributed to their valour or hardiness above other Flowers, but that casually both of them grew together in the declivity of a depressed Valley, so that they saw not the Boar, nor were they sensible of their own misery, nor durst others remove their stations to bring them intelligence thereof.  
Sister Marigold (said the Violet) you and I have continued these many days in the contest which of our two colours are the most honourable and pleasing to the Eye, I know what you can plead for yourself, that your yellowness is the Livery of Gold, the Sovereign of most men's hearts, and esteemed the purest of all metals; I deny not the truth hereof: But know that as fare as the Sky surpasseth that which is buried in the Bowels of the Earth, so fare my blue colour exceedeth yours; what is oftener mentioned by the Poets than the azure Clouds? let Heralds be made the Umpire, and I appeal to Gerrard, whether the azure doth not carry it clear above all other colours herein; Sable or Black affrights the beholders with the hue thereof, and minds them of the Funeral of their last friends, whom they had interred Vert or Green I confess is a colour refreshing the sight, and wore commonly before the eyes of such who have had a casual mischance therein; however, it is but the Livery of novelty, a young upstart colour, as green heads, and green youth do pass in common experience. Red I confess is a noble colour, but it hath too much of bloodiness therein, and affrighteth beholders with the memory thereof: My Blue is exposed to no cavils and exceptions, wherein black and red are moderately compounded, so that I participate of the perfections of them both: the over gaudiness of the red, which hath too much light and brightness therein, is reduced and tempered with such a mixture of black, that the red is made stayed, but not sad therewith, and the black kept from overmuch melancholy, with a proportionable contemperation of red therein: This is the reason that in all ages the Violet or purple colour hath passed for the emblem of Magistracy, and the Robes of the ancient Roman judges always died therewith.  
The Violet scarce arrived at the middle of her discourse, when the approach of the Boar put it into a terrible fear, nor was their any Herb or Flower in the whole Garden left unsurprized with fear, save only Time and Sage, which casually grew in an Island surrounded with water from the rest, and secured with a lock-bridge from the Boars access. Sage beginning, accosted Time in this Nature.  
Most fragrant Sister, there needs no other argument to convince thy transcendent sweetness, save only the appealing to the Bees (the most competent judges in this kind) those little Chemists, who through their natural Alembick, distil the sweetest and usefullest of Liquors, did not the commonness and cheapness thereof make it less valued: Now these industrious Bees, the emblem of a commonwealth (or Monarchy rather, if the received traditions of a Master-Bee be true) make their constant diet upon the; for though no Flower comes amiss to their palates, yet are they observed to prefer thee above the rest. Now Sister Time, feign would I be satisfied of you several queries, which only Time is able to resolve. Whether or no do you think that the State of the Turks wherein we live, (whose cruelty hath destroyed fair Tempe to the small remnant of these few Acres) whether I say, do you think that their strength and greatness doth increase, stand still, or abate? I know Time that you are the Mother of truth, and the finder out of all truths mysteries; be open therefore and candid with me herein, and freely speak your mind of the case propounded.  
Time very gravely casting down the eyes thereof to the earth; Sister Sage (said she) had you propounded any question within the sphere or circuit of a Garden, of the heat or coolness, dryness or moisture, virtue or operation of flowers and Herbs, I should not have demurred to return you a speedy answer; but this is of that dangerous consequence, that my own safety locks up my lips, and commands my silence therein: I know your wisdom Sage, whence you have gotten your name and reputation, this is not an age to trust the nearest of our relations with such an important secrecy; what ever thoughts are concealed within the Cabinet of my own bosom, shall there be preserved in their secret property without imparting them to any; my confessor himself shall know my conscience, but not my judgement in affairs of State: Let us comply with the present necessity, and lie at a close posture, knowing there be fencers even now about us, who will set upon us if our guards lie open: general discourses are such to which I will confine myself: It is anciently said, that the subtle man lurks in general. But now give me leave, for honesty itself, if desiring to be safe, to take Sanctuary therein.  
Let us enjoy our own happiness, and be sensible of the favour indulged to us, that whereas all Tempe is defaced, this Garden still surviveth in some tolerable condition of prosperity, and we especially miled about, are fenced from foreign foes, better than the rest; let it satisfy your soul that we peaceably possess this happiness, and I am sorry that the lustre thereof is set forth with so true a foil, as the calamity of our neighbours.  
Sage returned; Were I a blab of my mouth, whose secrecy was ever suspected, then might you be cautious in communicating your mind unto me: But secrecy is that I can principally boast of, it being the quality for which the commonwealth of Flowers chose me their privy Councillor, what therefore is told me in this nature, is deposited as securely, as those treasures which formerly were laid up in the Temple of safety itself; and therefore with all modest importunity, I reassume my suit, and desire your judgement of the question, whether the Turkish Tyranny is likely to continue any longer? for Time I know alone can give an answer to this question.  
Being confident (said Time) of your fidelity, I shall express myself in that freeness unto you, which I never as yet expressed to any mortal: I am of that hopeful opinion, that the period of this barbarous nations greatness gins to approach, my first reason is drawn from the vicissitude and mutability which attends all earthly things; Bodies arrived at the vertical point of their strength, decay and decline. The Moon when in the fullness of its increasing, tendeth to a waning; it is a pitch too high for any subsunary thing to amount unto constantly, to proceed progressively in greatness; this maketh me to hope that this Giantlike Empire, cemented with Tyranny, supported, not so much with their own policy, as with the servility of such who are under them, hath seen its best days and highest elevation.  
To this end, to come to more particulars, what was it which first made the Turks fortunate, in so short a time to overrun all Greece, but these two things; first, the dissensions, 2. the dissoluteness of your ancient Greeks: Their dissensions are too well known, the Emperor of Constantinople being grown almost but titular, such the pride and potency of many Peers under him. The Egean is not more stored with Islands (as I think scarce such a heap or huddle is to be found of them in all the world again) as Greece was with several factions, the Epirots hated the achaians, the Mesedans bandoned against the Thracians, the Dalmatians maintained deadly feud against the Wallachians: Thus was the conquest made easy for the Turks, beholding not so much to their own valour, as to the Grecian discord.  
Next to their dissensions, their dissoluteness did expedite their ruin; drunkenness was so common among them, that it was a sin to be sober, so that I may say, all Greece reeled and staggered with its own intemperance when the Turk assaulted it: What wonder then was it if they so quickly over-ran that famous Empire, where vice and laziness had generally infected all conditions of people.  
But now you see the Turks themselves have divisions and dissensions among them, their great Bashaws and holy Muftees have their several factions and dissensions; and whereas the poor Greeks by the reason of their hard usage, begin now to be starved into unity and temperance, they may seem to have changed their vices with the Turks, who are now grown as factious and vicious as the other were before. Add to all this that they are universally hated, and the neighbouring Princes raither wait a time, then want a will to be revenged on them for their many insolences. Put all these together, and tell me if it put not a cheerful complexion on probability, that the Turkish tyranny having come to the mark of its own might, and utmost limits of its own greatness, will dwindle and whither away by degrees. And assure yourself, if once it come to be but standing water, it will quickly be a low ebb with them.  
Probably she had proceeded longer in her Oration, if not interrupted with the miserable moans and complaints of the Herbs and Flowers which the Boar was ready to devour, when presently the Sage spoke unto the Boar in this manner.  
Sir, Listen a little unto me, who shall make such a motion whereof yourself shall be the Judge (how much it tendeth to your advantage) and the deafest ears will listen to their own interest.) I have no design for myself (whose position here environed with with water, secureth me from your anger) but I confessed sympathise with the misery of my friends and acquaintance, which in the continent of the Garden are exposed to your cruelty; what good will it do you to destroy so many Flowers and Herbs, which have no gust or sweetness at all in them for your palate; follow my directions, and directly South-west as you stand, you shall find (going forward therein) a corner in the Garden, overgrown with Hog-weed, (through the Gardeners negligence;) Oh what Lettuce will be for your lips; you will say that Via lactea (or the milky way) is truly there, so white, so sweet, so plentiful a liquor is to be distilled out of the leaves thereof, which hath gotten the name of Hog-weed, because it is the principal Bill of fare whereon creatures of your kind make their common repast. The Boar sensible that Sage spoke to the purpose, followed his directions, and found the same true, when feeding himself almost to surfeit on those delicious dainties, he swollen so great, that in his return out of the Garden, the hole in the fence which gave him admittance, was too small to afford him egress out thereat; when the Gardener coming in with a Guard of Dogs, so persecuted this Tyrant, that killed on the place, he made satisfaction for the wrong he had done, and for the terror wherewith he had affrighted so many Innocents'. I wish the Reader well feasted with some of his Brawn well cooked, and so take our leave both of him and the Gardens.  
FINIS.