HA W THORN. 



a favourite seat for lovers, of which Burns is not unmindful : 



" If Heaven a draught of heavenly pleasure spare, 



One cordial in this melancholy vale, 

 'Tis when a youthful, loving, modest pair, 



In other's arms breathe out the tender tale. 

 Beneath the milk-white thorn that scents the evening gale ; " 



full of hope of many happy days to come, as they wend their 

 way through this chequered life, which they have resolved to 

 do together. 



Shakespeare asks : 



" Gives not the Hawthorn bush a sweeter shade 

 To shepherds looking on their silly sheep 

 Than doth a rich embroidered canopy , 

 To kings, that fear their subjects' treachery?" 



Milton regards it as the favourite shade of the same rustic 

 character : 



" And every shepherd tells his tale 

 Under the Hawthorn in the dale." 



The poets are ever mindful of it. Kirke White speaks of 



" The mossy seat beneath the Hawthorn's shade," 



and inviting " Contemplation " personified to accompany him, 

 says, we 



" — on the upland stile embowered 

 With fragrant Hawthorn, snowy flowered. 

 Will sauntering sit." 



104 



