OBSERVATIONS ON THE BROOM. 101 



" Willows and humble broom afford either browse for the cattle, or 

 shade for the shepherds, and hedges for the fields, and food for bees." 



Marfyn's Translation. 



The poet is supposed to intend the Spanish Broom in this passage, 

 which grows plentifully in some parts of Italy, and of which the 

 Italians weave the slender branches into baskets. 



Virgil speaks of it as the " bending Broom." In England the 

 Broom has generally a kind of sharp and arrow-like straightness ; in 

 Italy, where it rises higher than in this country, the branches being 

 very slender do not support themselves so stiffly. 



Clorin, in the Faithful Shepherdess, reproves 



" the lazy clowns 



That feed their heifers in the budded brooms." 



Mr. Seward observes, in a note upon this passage, that this instance 

 of laziness is taken from Spenser's Shepherd's Calendar for Feb- 

 ruary, and supposes it to mean that they leave their herds among the 

 Broom, which grows on the worst soil, instead of driving them into 

 the best pastures. 



" So loitering live you little herd-grooms, 



Keeping your beasts in the budded brooms." 



Spenser. 



Dr. Hall complains much of the negligence of the farmers in taking 

 so little heed to check the growth of thistles, furze, broom, &c, even 

 in the fields in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. " It is well 

 known," says he, " that the seeds of thistles, rag-weed, and the like, 

 are blown with the wind, and that though furze, as Lord Kaimes ob- 

 serves, is the only shrub in Britain that flowers all the year round ; 

 and Broom in bloom is one of the most beautiful shrubs we have, 

 and appears like gold at a distance, yet they ought, if possible, to be 

 completely extirpated out of those parts of the country where sheep 

 are not reared." 



Browne alludes to the use of Broom in thatching : — 

 " Among the flags below there stands his coatc, 

 A simple one, thatched o'er with reed and broom ; 

 It hath a kitchen, and a several room 



For each of us." 



Britannia's Pastorals. 



