HOW THE WALL-FLOWER
CAME FIRST, AND WHY
SO CALLED.
by Robert Herrick


WHY this flower is now call'd so,
List, sweet maids, and you shall know.
Understand this firstling was
Once a brisk and bonnie lass,
Kept as close as Danæ was :
Who a sprightly springall lov'd,
And to have it fully prov'd,
Up she got upon a wall,
Tempting down to slide withal :
But the silken twist untied,
So she fell, and, bruis'd, she died.
Love, in pity of the deed,
And her loving-luckless speed,
Turn'd her to this plant we call
Now the flower of the wall.

Titian. Danae. 1546-1553.
Titian. Danae. 1546-1553.
The Hermitage State Museum,
St. Petersburg, Russia.

Springall, a youngster.
Tempting, trying.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 16.
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Created by Anniina Jokinen on September 27, 1998. Last updated October 16, 2003
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