Which in the meadows makes such circles green
As if with garlands it had crowned been."

_Britannia's Pastorals._

Cowley said--

"Where once such fairies dance,
No grass does ever grow;"

and in Shakespeare's time the sheep refused to eat the grass on the
fairy rings (1); I believe they now feed on it, but I have not been able
to ascertain this with certainty. Others, besides the sheep, avoided
them. "When the damsels of old gathered may-dew on the grass, which they
made use of to improve their complexions, they left undisturbed such of
it as they perceived on the fairy rings, apprehensive that the fairies
should in revenge destroy their beauty, nor was it reckoned safe to put
the foot within the rings, lest they should be liable to fairies'
power."--DOUCE'S _Illustrations_, p. 180.

FOOTNOTES:

[170:1] Herrick calls them "brownest Toadstones."

MUSK ROSES, _see_ ROSE.

MUSTARD.

(1) _Doll._

They say Poins has a good wit.

_Falstaff._

He a good wit? hang him, baboon! his wit's as thick as
Tewksbury Mustard; there is no more conceit in him than in a
mallet.

_2nd Henry IV_, act ii, sc. 4 (260).

(2) _Titania._

Pease-blossom! Cobweb! Moth! and Mustardseed!

* * * * *

_Bottom._

Your name, I beseech you, sir?

_Mustardseed._

Mustardseed.

_Bottom._

Good Master Mustardseed, I know your patience well; that same
cowardly giant-like ox-beef hath devoured many a gentleman
of your house: I promise you your kindred hath made my eyes
water ere now. I desire your more acquaintance, good Master
Mustardseed.

_Midsummer Night's Dream_, act iii, sc. 1 (165, 194).

(3) _Bottom._

Where's the Mounsieur Mustardseed?

_Mustardseed._

Ready.

_Bottom._

Give me your neaf, Mounsieur Mustardseed. Pray you, leave your
courtesy, good mounsieur.

_Mustardseed._

What's your will?

_Bottom._

Nothing, good mounsieur, but to help Cavalery Cobweb to
scratch.

_Ibid._, act iv, sc. 1 (18).

(4) _Grumio._

What say you to a piece of beef and Mustard?

_Katharine._

A dish that I