The plant-lore & garden-craft of Shakespeare Part 20

(2) _Clown._

As you'ld thrust a Cork into a hogshead.

_Winter's Tale_, act iii, sc. 3 (95).

(3) _Cornwall._

Bind fast his Corky arms.

 

_King Lear_, act iii, sc. 7 (28).

It is most probable that Shakespeare had no further acquaintance with the Cork tree than his use of Corks. The living tree was not introduced into England till the latter part of the seventeenth century, yet is very fairly described both by Gerard and Parkinson. The Cork, however, was largely imported, and was especially used for shoes. Not only did "shoemakers put it in shoes and pantofles for warmness sake," but for its lightness it was used for the high-heeled shoes of the fas.h.i.+onable ladies. I suppose from the following lines that these shoes were a distinguis.h.i.+ng part of a bride's trousseau--

"Strip off my bride's array, My Cork-shoes from my feet, And, gentle mother, be not coy To bring my winding sheet."

_The Bride's Burial_--Roxburghe Ballads.

The Cork tree is a necessary element in all botanic gardens, but as an ornamental tree it is not sufficiently distinct from the Ilex. Though a native of the South of Europe it is hardy in England.

CORN.

(1) _Gonzalo._

No use of metal, Corn, or wine, or oil.

_Tempest_, act ii, sc. 1 (154).

(2) _Duke._

Our Corn's to reap, for yet our t.i.the's to sow.

_Measure for Measure_, act iv, sc. 1 (76).

(3) _t.i.tania._

Playing on pipes of Corn, (67)

The green Corn Hath rotted ere his youth attained a beard.

_Midsummer Night's Dream_, act ii, sc. 1 (94).

(4) _K. Edward._

What valiant foemen, like to autumn's Corn, Have we mowed down in tops of all their pride!

_3rd Henry VI_, act v, sc. 7 (3).

(5) _Pucelle._

Talk like the vulgar sort of market men That come to gather money for their Corn.

_1st Henry VI_, act iii, sc. 2 (4).

Poor market folks that come to sell their Corn.

_Ibid._ (14).

Good morrow, gallants! want ye Corn for bread?

_Ibid._ (41).

_Burgundy._

I trust, ere long, to choke thee with thine own, And make thee curse the harvest of that Corn.

_Ibid._ (46).

(6) _d.u.c.h.ess._

Why droops my lord like over-ripened Corn Hanging the head at Ceres' plenteous load?

_2nd Henry VI_, act i, sc. 2. (1).

(7) _Warwick._

His well-proportioned beard made rough and ragged Like to the summer's Corn by tempest lodged.

_2nd Henry VI_, act iii, sc. 2 (175).

(8) _Mowbray._