Fair WORDS did fet gromwell seed plenty

Insights

The Emptiness of Flattery

Flattery and insincere promises ('fair words') yield outcomes that are worthless, undesirable, or problematic, much like a harvest of hard, useless seeds.

Deception and Unwanted Consequences

Charming or persuasive language is often a tool of deception, leading to consequences that are the opposite of what was promised—not a reward, but a burden.

Superficiality's Barren Harvest

The proverb highlights a transaction where something valuable (like trust or affection) is given in exchange for something of no substance, illustrating the barren nature of relationships or agreements built on superficiality.

Herbal and Medical Symbolism

Historically, gromwell seed was used in folk medicine, notably as a contraceptive. This adds a powerful and dark subtext to the proverb, suggesting that seductive 'fair words' could lead to an unwanted pregnancy, for which the 'plentiful' result is a harsh, problematic, and uncertain remedy.

Psychology of Deception

The proverb offers a sharp psychological insight into manipulation. It illustrates how flattery and charm can exploit a person's trust, only to leave them with a 'harvest' that is not only worthless but potentially a source of further trouble and regret.

Social and Political Critique

As a social commentary, the proverb serves as a cynical warning, particularly in contexts of courtship or political promises. It cautions that eloquent and pleasing speech should be regarded with suspicion, as it often conceals an intent to produce a barren or burdensome outcome for the listener.

Rhetorical Devices

Symbolism

The proverb's meaning hinges on the powerful symbolism of 'gromwell seed' to represent any worthless, barren, or unwelcome result born from insincerity.

Irony

A strong situational irony contrasts the positive, appealing nature of 'fair words' with the hard, useless, and negative reality of the 'gromwell seed' they produce.

Antithesis

The use of 'fair' to describe the words and the implied 'foul' or 'hard' nature of the seeds creates a stark antithesis between the promise and the reality.