138 MAY. 



The flowers of the chestnut-tree begin to unfold ; 

 the tulip-tree has its leaves quite out; and the 

 flowers of the Scotch fir, the beech, the oak, and 

 the honeysuckle, climbing round its neighbour for 

 support, are now in full bloom. The mulberry-tree 

 puts forth its leaves ; the walnut-tree is in flower ; 

 so too are the lilach, the barberry, and the maple. 

 Towards the end of the month, that magnificent 

 and beautiful tree, the horse-chestnut ; and the haw- 

 thorn-flower, the mountain-ash, the laburnum, the 

 guelder-rose, the alder, the elm and the wayfaring 

 tree. 



Wayfaring tree ! what ancient claim 

 Hast thou to that right pleasant name ? 

 Was it that some faint pilgrim came 



Unhopedly to thee, 

 In the brown desert's dreary way, 

 Mid toil and thirst's consuming sway, 

 And there, as 'neath thy shade he lay, 



Blest the wayfaring tree ? 



Or is it that thou lovest to show 

 Thy coronals of fragrant snow, 

 Like life's spontaneous joys that flow 



In paths by thousands beat ? 

 Whatever it be, I love it well ; 

 A name, methinks, that surely fell 

 From poet, in some evening dell, 



Wandering with fancies sweet. 



A name given in those olden days, 

 When, mid the wild-wood's vernal sprays, 

 The merle and mavis pour'd their lays 

 In the lone list'ner's ear, 



