188 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



In the celebration of May-day, in the Court of Love, he 

 says : 



" And furth goth all the Courte both most and lest 

 To fetche the flouris freshe, and braunch and blome, 

 And namely hauthorne brought both page and grome, 

 With fresh garlandis, party blew and white, 

 And than rejoysin in their grete delight." 



" Amongst the many buds proclaiming May, 

 (Decking the fields in holiday's array, 

 Striving who shall surpasse in bravery) 

 Marke the faire blooming of the hawthorne-tree ; 

 Who, finely cloathed in a robe of white, 

 Feeds full the wanton eye with May's delight ; 

 Yet for the bravery that she is in 

 Doth neyther handle carde nor wheele to spin, 

 Nor changeth robes but twice, is never scene 

 In other colors than in white or greene. 

 Learn then content, young shepherd, from this tree, 

 Whose greatest wealth is Nature's livery." 



ee All the trees are quaintly tyred 

 With greene buds of all desired ; 

 And the hauthorne every day 

 Spreads some little show of May. 

 See the primrose sweetly set 

 By the much-loved violet, 

 All the bankes doe sweetly cover 

 As they would invite a lover 

 With his lass, to see their dressing, 

 And to grace them by their pressing." 



W. BROWNE. 



" Tis May, the Grace, -confess'd she stands 

 By branch of hawthorn in her hands : 

 Lo ! near her trip the lightsome dews, 

 Their wings all tinged in iris hues ; 

 With whom the powers of Flora play, 

 And paint with pansies all the way." 



WART ON. 



Philips, in his Letter from Copenhagen, beautifully de- 

 scribes the appearance of the Hawthorn in the winter : 



