THE HAWTHORN AND ITS VAKIKTIES. 103 



The Glastonbury tliorn is a variety of the common white tliorn 

 (Oxycantha), whicli blossoms in the winter about January or February, 

 and sometimes even as early as Christmas. 



It is often called white thorn from the colour of the flower-petals, 

 May-bush from blossoms appearing in that month, and which were 

 more noticed in old times before the country was embellished with so 

 many early blowing shrubs ; for on the festival of Flora, on tlie 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 twined tliem 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 entertain- 

 ment, and settled disputes ; the former was distinguished by an oaken 

 wreath, and the latter by one of hawthorn ; when dancing and other 

 rural sports took place in honour of the goddess. This rustic amuse- 

 ment was evidently introduced by the Romans; in their ancient games 

 that of Floralia were instituted in Rome as early as the time of Ro- 

 mulus, and which the Phoceans and Sabines observed even in earlier 

 days. As Rome became degenerated this feast was turned into scenes 

 of the most unbounded debauchery and licentiousness, and it. is related 

 that Cato wished 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 degenerate 

 Romans, that the venerable senator was treated with the most un- 

 bounded 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 witli a garland of flowers on the 1st of May, and the youth 

 of both sexes, with the elasticity of spirits so characteristic 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. 



The hawthorn branches are scarce less gaily besprinkled by Flora 

 in the spring, than adorned by Pomona in the autumn, who nourishes 

 the feathered ciioristers with these scarlet haws, and on this account 

 we should have in our shrubbery 



berry-bearing thorns. 



That feed the thrush." 



And none should omit 



" Xhe hawthorn bush, ^^ llh seats beneath the shade." 



