ON THE HAWTHORN. 271 



more noticed in old times before the country was embellished 

 with so many early-blowing shrubs ; for on the festival of Flora, 

 on the first of May, our ancestors never failed decorating with it 

 the May-pole, which was permanently fixed in or near every town 

 and village in the kingdom, and the boldest youth climbed to fix 

 the garland of flowers on the top, whilst others less courageous, 

 hung festoons and wreaths of flowers through the garland, or twin- 

 ed them around the pole, 



" To fetche the flowers fresh, and branch and blome, 



And namely, hawthorn brought both page and grome, 



With fresh garlandes, partly bleu and white ; 



And then rejoysen in hir grete delite." 



Chaucer. 



A king and queen were then elected, who regulated the enter- 

 tainment, and settled disputes ; the former was distinguished by an 

 oaken wreath, and the latter by one of hawthorn; when dan- 

 cing and other rural sports took place in honour of the goddess. 

 This rustic amusement was evidently introduced by the Romans; 

 in their ancient games, that of Floralia were instituted in Rome 

 as early as the time of Romulus, and which the Phoceans and Sa- 

 bines observed even in earlier days. As Rome became degene- 

 rated, this feast was turned into scenes of the most unbounded 

 debauchery and licentiousness ; and it is related that Cato wish- 

 ed once to be present at the celebration, but when he saw that a 

 deference for his presence interrupted the feast, he retired, not 

 choosing to behold the indelicate spectacles that were about to 

 take place in public. This behaviour so captivated the de- 

 generate Romans, that the venerable senator was treated with the 

 most unbounded applause as he retired, which shows that virtue 

 and modesty are always respected even by vice itself. 



At the present time there is not a door in Athens, that is not 

 crowned with a garland of flowers on the 1 st of May ; and the 

 youth of both sexes, with the elasticity of spirits so charac- 

 teristic of a Greek, that when under the power of the Turks, 

 they forgot or braved their masters, while with guitars in their 

 hands and crowns upon their heads, 



" They lead the dance in honour of the May." 



"Religious devotees call it the noble thorn, from a belief that it 

 was this thorn which formed the crown of Christ. 



