HAWTHORN. 265 



near every town and village in the kingdom, 

 and the boldest youth climbed to fix the gar- 

 land of flowers on the top, whilst others less 

 courageous, hung festoons and wreaths of 

 flowers through the garland, or twined them 

 around the pole, 



" To fetche the flowers fresh, and branch and blome ; 

 And namely, hauthorn brought both page and grome, 

 With fresh garlandes, party bleu and white : 

 And then rejoysen in hir grete delite." 



Chaucer. 



A king and queen were then elected, who 

 regulated the entertainment, and settled dis- 

 putes ; the former was distinguished by an 

 oaken wreath, and the latter by one of haw- 

 thorn : when dancing and other rural sports 

 took place in honour of the goddess. This rus- 

 tic amusement was evidently introduced by the 

 Romans, as we see in it the remains of their 

 ancient games, Floralia, that were instituted in 

 Rome as early as the time of Romulus, and 

 which the Phoceans and Sabines observed 

 even in earlier days. As Rome became de- 

 generated, this feast was turned into scenes 

 of the most unbounded licentiousness ; and 

 it is related that Cato wished once to be pre- 

 sent at the celebration, but when he saw that 

 the deference for his presence interrupted 

 the feast, he retired, not choosing to behold 



