The Simpling Life
the vanished herbgatherer
Herbs, journal of the Herbs Society
Sept 2016
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A more romantic image than Smith's is the happy herbgatherer found in William Wordsworth's The Excursion :
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The wandering Herbalist, - who, clear alike From vain, and, that worse evil, vexing thoughts, Casts, if he ever chance to enter here, Upon these uncouth Forms a slight regard Of transitory interest, and peeps round For some rare floweret of the hills, or plant Of craggy fountain; what he hopes for wins, Or learns, at least, that 'tis not to be won: Then, keen and eager, as a fine-nosed hound, By soul-engrossing instinct driven along Through wood or open field, the harmless Man Departs, intent upon his onward quest! - |
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Banner image: ‘Simplers’, plate XXVI, The cries of London : exhibiting several of the itinerant traders of antient and modern times, 1839. John Thomas Smith (1766-1833). Quote from Meg Merrilies by John Keats. |