Botticelli. Primavera. 1478. The Uffizi, Florence.
From Description of a Maske
in honour of Lord Hayes
by Thomas Campion.
Song.
Now hath Flora rob'd
her
bowers
To befrend this place with flowers :
Strowe aboute, strowe aboute.
The Skye rayn'd neuer kindlyer Showers.
Flowers with Bridalls well agree,
Fresh as Brides, and Bridgromes be :
Strowe aboute, strowe aboute ;
And mixe them with fit melodie.
Earth hath no Princelier flowers
Then Roses white, and Roses red,
But they must still be mingled :
And as a Rose new pluckt from Venus thorne,
So doth a Bride her Bride-groomes bed adorne.
Diuers diuers Flowers affect
For some priuate deare respect :
Strowe about, strow about,
Let euery one his owne protect ;
But hees none of Floras friend
That will not the Rose commend.
Strow about, strow about ;
Let Princes Princely flowers defend :
Roses, the Gardens pride,
Are flowers for loue and flowers for Kinges,
In courts desir'd and Weddings :
And as a Rose in Venus bosome worne,
So doth a Bridegroome his Brides bed adorne.
