HAWTHORN. 



153 



Whitethorn at the rape of the Sabines, and ever after 

 considered propitious.'' 



When Ulysses, on his return to his native land, went 

 to see his father Laertes, the old man is represented alone 

 in his garden, having sent his men to gather thorns from 

 the woods : 



" Nor aged Dolius, nor his sons were there. 

 Nor servants, absent on another care ; 

 To search the woods for sets of flowery thorn. 

 Their orchard hounds to strengthen and adorn " 



Pope's Homer's Odyssey, book xxiv. 



Goldsmith, in his Deserted Village, describes the 

 Hawthorn in a lively manner : 



The hawthorn-bush, with seats beneath the shade. 

 For talking age and whispering lovers made ! 

 How often have I blessed the coming day. 

 When toil remitting lent its turn to play. 

 And all the village-train from labour free. 

 Led up their sports beneath the spreading tree ; 

 While many a pastime circled in the shade. 

 The young contending, as the old surveyed." 



The following lines describe the appearance of this 

 tree on the first of April : 



" Fringing the forest's devious edge. 



Half-robed appears the hawthorn hedge ; 

 Or to the distant eye displays 

 Weakly green its budding sprays." 



T. Warton. 



Observe the words of a king : 



" 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 ? 



