" As a coming screen grows the bracken green ; 



Up springeth it fair and free, 

 Where in many a fold, grotesque and old, 



Twineth the hawthorne tree ; 

 A covert meet from the noontide heat, 



Or should you steal anear, 

 You may chance to discern, neath the spreading fern, 



The antlers of the deer. 



" It boasteth a name of mystic fame, 



For who findeth its magic seed 

 A witching and weirdly gift may claim, 



To help him at his need :" 

 Unseen, unknown he may pass alone 



Who owneth the fern-seed's spell ; 

 Like the viewless blast, he sweepeth past, 



And walks invisible ! 



" Have ye to learn how the eagle fern 



Doth in its heart enshrine 

 An oak tree like that which the hunter Hearn 



Haunted in days ' lang syne ? ' 

 An oak tree small is repeated all 



Complete in branch and root, 

 Like the tree whereunto King Charles did flee, 



When pressed by hot pursuit. 



" O eagle fern, when I thee discern 

 When thy withered leaf I meet, 

 In places the careless foot might spurn, 



The crowded mart or street, 

 Thou takest me back to thy birthplace fair, 



Where thou wavest in thy pride, 

 And the form of the hare and the deer's close lair 

 Doth mid thy stems abide." 



MARY ISABELLA TOMKINS. 



