APPLE. 35 



these last few years, and that it was without decay, or 

 any indication of dissolution." 



Hargrave adds, " This fruit still retains its value, being 

 preferred before every other apple this country produces." 

 While Philips says in his Poem on Cider : 



" Let every tree in every garden own 



The Redstreak as supreme ; whose pulpous fruit 



With gold irradiate, and vermilion, shines 



Tempting, not fatal, as the birth of that 



Primeval interdicted plant, that won 



Fond Eve in hapless hour to taste, and die. 



This, of more bounteous influence, inspires 



Poetic raptures, and the lowly Muse 



Kindles to loftier strains ; even I perceive 



Her sacred virtue. See ! the numbers flow 



Easy, whilst, cheer'd with her nectareous juice, 



Her's and my country's praises I exalt. 



Hail, Herefordian plant, that dost disdain 



All other fields ! Heaven's sweetest blessing, hail ! 



Be thou the copious matter of my song, 



And thy choice nectar ! on which always waits 



Laughter, and Sport, and care-beguiling Wit, 



And Friendship, chief delight of human life. 



What should we wish for more ? Or why, in quest 



Of foreign vintage, insincere, and mix'd, 



Traverse th' extremest world ? Why tempt the rage 



Of the rough ocean, when our native glebe 



Imparts from bounteous womb annual recruits 



Of wine delectable, that far surmounts 



Gallic or Latin grapes, or those that see 



The setting sun near Calpe's tow'ring Height. 



Nor let the Rhodian nor the Lesbian vines 



Vaunt their rich must, nor let Tokay contend 



For sov'reignty ; Phanaeiis' self must bow 



To th' Ariconian vales." 



D 2 



