52 FAMILIAR TREES 



the Albiespyne, that is Whitethorn, that grew in the same gardyn, 

 and setten yt upon hys heved. And therefore hath the Whitethorn 

 many virtues. For he that beareth a branch on hym thereof, on 

 thundre, ne no maner of tempest, may dere hym, ne in the howse 

 that yt is ynne may non evil ghost enter." 



The Hawthorn is still known in Germany as Christ- 

 dorn ; and the tradition is current among the French 

 peasantry that it utters groans and cries on Good 

 Friday ; whilst in England, an old superstition that 

 it is unlucky to uproot a Thorn tree still lingers, 

 often in a belief that it is ill-omened to bring 

 boughs of it into the house. 



The quiet pastoral charm of this tree has endeared 

 it to poets, who have sung its praises in conjunction 

 with those of almost every season of the year. In 

 winter, when 



"Through the sharp Hawthorn blows the cold wind," 



its boughs can hardly be said to present a cheerful 

 aspect. They appear dull grey, or, at a little distance, 

 almost as a black blot upon the landscape, save when 

 the mildness of the season may have allowed the fasti- 

 dious birds to leave its heavv crop of crimson fruit, 

 preferring daintier fare. 



Even then, when, as Sackville says 



"Hawthorne has lost his motley lyverye, 

 The naked twigges are shivering all for colde, 

 And dropping-down the teares abundantly." 



the sunbeams, glistening on dew or hoar-frost or the 

 delicate threads of the gossamer, lend it a borrowed 

 grace. 



