with its fragile blossoms, was supposed to afford them shelter in wet
weather. Shakespeare has represented Ariel reclining in "a cowslip's
bell," and further speaks of the small crimson drops in its blossom as
"gold coats spots"--"these be rubies, fairy favours." And at the present
day the cowslip is still known in Lincolnshire as the "fairy cup." Its
popular German name is "key-flower;" and no flower has had in that
country so extensive an association with preternatural wealth. A well-
known legend relates how "Bertha" entices some favoured child by
exquisite primroses to a doorway overgrown with flowers. This is the
door to an enchanted castle. When the key-flower touches it, the door
gently opens, and the favoured mortal passes to a room with vessels
covered over with primroses, in which are treasures of gold and jewels.
When the treasure is secured the primroses must be replaced, otherwise
the finder will be for ever followed by a "black dog."
Sometimes their mantles are made of the gossamer, the cobwebs
which may be seen in large quantities on the furze bushes; and so of
King Oberon we are told:
"A rich mantle did he wear,
Made of tinsel gossamer,
Bestarred over with a few
Diamond drops of morning dew."
Tulips are the cradles in which the fairy tribe have lulled their
offspring to rest, while the Pyrus japonica serves them for a fire.[2] Their
hat is supplied by the Peziza coccinea; and in Lincolnshire, writes Mr.
Friend,[3] "A kind of fungus like a cup or old-fashioned purse, with
small objects inside, is called a fairy-purse." When mending their clothes,
the foxglove gives them thimbles; and many other flowers might be
added which are equally in request for their various needs. It should be
mentioned, however, that fairies, like witches, have a strange antipathy
to yellow flowers, and rarely frequent localities where they grow.
In olden times, we read how in Scandinavia and Germany the rose
was under the special protection of dwarfs and elves, who were ruled by
the mighty King Laurin, the lord of the rose-garden:
"Four portals to the garden lead, and when the gates are closed,
No living might dare touch a rose, 'gainst his strict command opposed;
Whoe'er would break the golden gates, or cut the silken thread,
Or who would dare to crush the flowers down beneath his tread,
Soon for his pride would have to pledge a foot and hand;
Thus Laurin, king of Dwarfs, rules within his land."