42 



ties/' The old tree is yet standing ; and in 

 the year 1787 produced six bushels of fruit. 

 Mr. Speedily says, he has seen the tree 

 within these last few years, and that it was 

 without decay, or any indication of dissolu- 

 tion. 



Hargrave adds, " This fruit still retains 

 it's value, being preferred before every other 

 apple this country produces/' While my 

 namesake of Herefordshire says, 



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 ! Heav'n'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 mixt, 



Traverse th' extremest world ? Why tempt the rage 



Of the rough ocean, when our native glebe 



