_Odour from the Rainbow._--What English poet is it that embodies the idea
contained in the following passage of Bacon's _Sylva_? I had noted it on a
loose scrap of paper which I left in my copy of the _Sylva_, but have lost
it:--
"It hath been observed by the Ancients, that when a Raine Bow seemeth
to hang over or to touch, there breaketh forth a sweet smell. The cause
is, for that this happenth but in certain matters which have in
themselves some sweetnesse, which the Gentle Dew of the Raine Bow doth
draw forth. And the like doe soft showers; for they also make the
ground sweet. But none are so delicate as the Dew of the Raine Bow,
where it falleth. It may be also that the water itself hath some
sweetnesse: for the Raine Bow consisteth of a glomeration of small
drops which cannot possibly fall but from the Aire that is very low.
And therefore may hold giving sweetnesse of the herbs and flowers, as a
distilled water," &c.--Bacon's _Sylva_, by Rawley, 6th ed. 1651, p.
176.