109 



to the place, and we have the highest poetical authority for tlie clangers they 

 incur, who lose themselves here, for 



" Within the navel of tliis hideous wood, 



Immured in cypress shades, a sorcerer dwells, 



Of Bacchus and of Circe bom, great (Joraus, 



Deep skilled in all his mother's witcheries ; 



And here to every thirsty wanderer. 



By sly enticement gives his buneful cup, 



With many murmers mixed, wliose pleasing iioison 



The visage quite transforms of him that drinks 



And the inglorious likeness of a beast 



Fixes instead— unmouldlDg reasons mintage 



Charactered in the face' . 

 Haywood Forest is thought by many to have been the scene of tlie inci- 

 dent which so happily gave rise to Miltons beautiful poem of "Comus." The 

 Lady Alice Egerton with her brothers Lord Brackley and Mr. Thomas Egerton, 

 in riding from Gloucester to Ludlow to join their father the Earl of Bridgewater, 

 then (1634) Lord President of the Marches, residing at Ludlow Castle, lost their 

 way in the forest, got separated, and were benighted. It may easily be supposed 

 that they took the old British road for Wales as far as Wormelow Tump, wishing 

 perchance to avoid the city of Hereford ; and thus this forest would become 

 their direct road. It is true that Haywood, near Ludlow disputes this claim to 

 the site, but the introduction of " Sabrina" by the poet as — 

 " A gentle nymph not far from hence, 



That with moist curb sways the smooth Severn stream," 



shows that it is mere supposition in both cases. Had it been "Vaga" or 

 "Tamesis," the matter would have been more clear,— but precision of locality 

 would mar the dignity and grace of the poem. It rises far superior to the in- 

 cident ; the wood is the world and purity of mind and thought is the true safe- 

 guard against its sins and temptations — 



" Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt, 

 Surprised by unjust force, but not entliralled." 



Happily, it was mid-day instead of midnight— and scouts sent out soon 

 fell in with the wanderers, who deep in fungous lore, had been sheltering them- 

 selves from the storm under a single umbrella. Thus it came to pass that, 

 clothed in the purity of the Science the Club promotes, aU its members made 

 their way in safety 



" Through the perplexed paths of this drear wood, 



The nodding horror of whose shady brows 



Threats the forlorn and wandering passenger." 



The next stoppage was made to examine the cluster of grand old oaks by 

 the house of the Haywood Farm. They are, perhaps, the only remaining trees 

 of the Forest of olden times. The finest tree—" The Haywood Forest Oak"— 

 (Quercus rober) is still a very noble object. 20ft. Tin. in circumference, at ."jft. from 

 the ground, and rising to the height of about 50ft., sending out gnarled and 

 naked branches from amidst its foliage in the most picturesque way. It was 

 decided on the spot to have this tree photographed for the next volume of the 

 " Club's Transactions." Another very fine tree in full luxuriance, measured 10ft. 

 4in. in circumference. It was of the variety intermedia. There were four other 

 trees more aged stUl, whose trunks were hollow, and whose boughs had boen 



