158 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



flowers beside the cottage door, when the dame brings 

 forth her spinning-wheel, and the blackbird sings from 

 his wicker cage : a tree which Chaucer well described, and 

 connected with the strongholds of Druidism, in Anglesey, the 

 ancient Mona, as also with an " extensive plaine, whereon 

 stoode erect huge stones, which men call Stonehenge." 



" There fruytless heathes and meadows cladde in greie, 

 Save where derne hawthornes reare theyr humble heade. 

 The hungrie traveller upon his waie 

 Sees a huge desarte all arounde hym spredde. 

 A wondrous pyle of rugged mountaynes standes 

 Placed on eche other in a dreare arraie : 

 It ne could be the worke of human handes, 

 It ne was reared up hie by men of clai. 

 There did the Britons adoration paye 

 To the false God, whom they did Tauran name, 

 Dightyuge his altarre with greete fyres in Maie, 

 Burninge their vyctims round aboute the flame." 



Pilgrimages are often made, by those who love the 

 hawthorn, to such as grow in Richmond and Bushy Parks. 

 Among these are many in their loveliness and youth, and 



