Humble Blooms: The Garden Wisdom of Henry King

September 30, 1669

On this day, we mark the passing of Henry King, Bishop of Chichester and intimate friend of John Donne, whose verses on flowers reveal both the humility of a true gardener and the wisdom of a spiritual leader.

Consider these exquisite lines where he addresses his garden companions with equal parts admiration and gentle self-reflection:

Brave flowers - that I could gallant it like you,
And be as little vain!

How masterfully he captures the daily performance of our garden favorites:

You come abroad, and make a harmless show,
And to your beds again.

But it is perhaps in his final couplet that King offers his most profound horticultural meditation:

You are not proud: you know your birth:
For your embroidered garments are from earth.

What gardener has not observed this paradox - that our most spectacular blooms emerge from the humble soil, wearing their finery without pretense or pride?

In these few lines, King reminds us that true beauty requires no fanfare, and that our gardens offer daily lessons in the virtue of magnificent modesty.