CARNATIONS

*Gillyvors* Pinks*

PERDITA

The fairest flowers o’ the season

Are our CARNATIONS and streak’d GILLYVORS,

Which some call Nature’s bastards.

—Winter’s Tale [Act IV, sc. 4]

POLIXENES

Then make your garden rich in GILLYVORS,

And do not call them bastards.

—Winter’s Tale [Act IV, sc. 4]

HOSTESS/MISTRESS QUICKLY

‘A could never abide CARNATION;

’twas a colour he never liked.

—Henry V [Act II, sc. 3]

COSTARD

Pray you, sir, how much CARNATION ribbon

may a man buy for a remuneration?

—Love’s Labour’s Lost [Act III, sc. 1]

ROMEO

A most courteous exposition.

MERCUTIO

Nay, I am the very PINK of courtesy.

ROMEO

PINK for flower?

MERCUTIO

Right.

ROMEO

Why, then is my pump well flowered.

—Romeo and Juliet [Act II, sc. 4]

SONG [BOY]

Maiden PINKS of odour faint.

——Two Noble Kinsmen [Act I, sc. 1]