HAWTHORN. 



Few trees exceed the common Hawthorn in beauty, 

 during the season of its bloom. Its blossoms have been 

 justly compared to those of the myrtle* they are admir- 

 able also for their abundance, and for their exquisite fra- 

 grance. This shrub usually flowers in May ; and being 

 the handsomest then (or perhaps at any time) wild in our 

 fields, has obtained the name of May, or May-bush. The 

 country-people deck their houses and churches with the 

 blossoms on May-day, as they do with Holly at Christmas. 



THE HAWTHORN. 



ANON. 



On Summer's breast the Hawthorn shines 



In all the Lily's bloom, 

 'Mid slopes where th' evening flock reclines, 



Where glows the golden broom. 



When yellow Autumn decks the plain. 

 The Hawthorn's boughs are green. 



Amid the ripening fields of grain. 

 In emerald brightness seen. 



A night of frost, a day of wind 



Have stript the forest bare : 

 The Hawthorn too that blast shp.ll find 



Nor shall that spoiling spare. 



(138) 



