THE HAWTHORN. 91 



they heard music sounding from every quarter, and here 

 and there they beheld in their way some May-pole, pre- 

 served from the last year, already elevated, and a wide 

 circle of beaming faces dancing round it. The church of 

 St. Andrew the Apostle was called St. Andrew Undershaft, 

 from the circumstance that from time immemorial a May 

 pole or shaft had been set up there, which towered con- 

 siderably above the church tower. Long streamers or flags 

 were now attached to the pole, which was then finally 

 reared to its proper position, amidst the loud cheers of the 

 multitudes gathered round. Summer-halls, bowers, and 

 arbours were now formed near it ; the Lord and Lady of 

 the May Avere chosen, and decorated with scarves, ribbons, 

 and other braveries ; and then the dances, feastings, and 

 merriment of the day fairly began. The King himself 

 frequently took part in these festivities, for, as we learn 

 from " Hall's Chronicle," " his Grace being young, and not 

 willing to be idle, rose in the morning very early to fetch 

 May or green boughs, himself fresh and richly apparelled, 

 and clothed all his knights, squires, and gentlemen in 

 white satin, and all his guard and yeomen of the croAvn in 

 white sarcenet. And so went every man with his bow and 

 arrows shooting to the wood, and so repaired again to the 

 court, every man Avith a green bough in his cap ; and at 

 his returning, many hearing of his going a-Maying were 

 desirous to see him shoot ; for at that time his Grace shot 

 as strong and as great a length as any of his guard." 

 During the Great Eebellion the Parliament ordered that 

 " all and singular May-poles be taken down." When 

 Charles If. ascended the throne, the famous May-pole of 

 the Strand^ Avas restored Avith great pomp and rejoicing, 

 amidst multitudes of people, Avhose shouts and acclamations 

 were heard from time to time throughout the whole day. 

 When this pole had ceased to be the centre of the merry 



1 "Amidst the area wide they took their stand, 



Where the tall May-pole once o'erlook'd the Strand." 



Pope. 



