272 



THE WOODBINE. 



twines, it is a mischievous neighbour to the young 

 sapling, stopping its growth, and forming a spiral 

 channel in its bark, which is eventually the source 

 of disease and death. Cowper's description of the 

 tree is therefore more accurate than that of Shak- 

 spear e : — 



" As Woodbine weds the plant within her reach, 

 Rough Elm, or smooth-grain'd Ash, or glossy Beech, 

 In spiral rings ascends the trunk, and lays 

 Her golden tassels on the leafy sprays ; 

 But does a mischief while she lends a grace, 

 Straitening its growth by such a strict embrace." 



COWPER. 



" So doth the Woodbine — the sweet Honeysuckle, 

 Gently entwist the Maple." 



Shakspeare. 



The Woodbine is scarcely less a favourite with 

 the poets than the Hawthorn. Milton eulogizes 

 it under a name which belongs of right to the 

 Wild Briar, namely, Eglantine: — 



Through the sweet-briar, or the vine, 

 Or the twisted Eglantine." 



Wordsworth's description is strictly true to 

 nature : — 



" So, pleased with purple clusters to entwine 

 Some lofty Elm-tree, mounts the daring Vine ; 

 The Woodbine so, with spiral grace, and breathes 

 Wide-spreading odours from its flowery wreaths." 



And again : 



" Brought from the woods the Honeysuckle twines 

 Around the porch, and seems in that trim place 

 A plant no longer wild." 



The Honeysuckle is in most luxuriant bloom in 



