‘The gard’ners year is a circle as their labour, never at an end.’

The Scots Gard’ner, John Reid, 1683

 

 

Bookes (Courteous Reader) may rightly be compared to Gardens; wherein, let the painfull Gardiner expresse neuer so much care and diligent endeauour; yet among the very fairest, sweetest, and freshest Flowers, as also Plants of most precious Vertue; ill fauoring and stinking Weeds, fit for no vse but the fire or mucke-hill, will spring and sprout up. So fareth it with Bookes of the very best quality, let the Author bee neuer so indulgent, and the Printer vigilant: yet both may misse their ayme, by the escape of Errors and Mistakes, either in sense or matter. If then the best Bookes cannot be free from this common infirmity; blame not this, of farre lighter argument, wherein thy courtesie may helpe vs both.’

Florio’s translation of Boccaccio’s Decameron, 1620