Hyacinths

Hyacinths and fresh-cut grass remind me of my childhood.

In this garden I obtain every product of nature in due season; in the spring it abounds with roses, lilies, hyacinths, and violets of the deepest bloom; in the summer with poppies, pears, and apples of every kind; and now in autumn, with grapes, figs, pomegranates and green myrtles.

Alas! My rose trees, how are they broken! Alas! My violets, how they are trodden under foot! Alas! My narcissus and hyacinths, they are rooted up! Some bad and wicked man must have thus wrecked them.

The hyacinths' stubborn growth hampers shipping, reduces fish catches, blocks streams and invades houses.