58 
FLORA OF FORFARSHIRE. 
form, and little cared for by the passing observer, from its 
being so common and so humble, the bramble is nevertheless 
a favourite with some minds, and the following beautiful lines 
by Elliot will invest this shrub with a deeper interest than 
any that science could confer upon it : — 
“TO THE BRAMBLE FLOWER. 
Tliy fruit full well the school-boy knows, 
Wild bramble of tlie brake ! 
Go put thou forth thy small white rose : 
I love it for his sake. 
Though woodbines flaunt, and roses glow 
O’er all the fragrant bowers, 
Thou need’st not be ashamed to show 
Thy satin-threaded flowers ; 
For dull the eye, the heart is dull 
That cannot feel how fair, 
Amid all beauty beautiful, 
Thy tender blossoms are ! 
How delicate thy gaudy frill ! 
How rich thy branchy stem ! 
How soft thy voice when woods are still. 
And thou sing’st hymns to them ! 
While silent flowers are falling slow, 
And, 'mid the general hush, 
A sweet air lifts the little bough, 
Lone whispering through the bush ! 
The primrose to the grave is gone ; 
The hawthorn flower is dead ; 
The violet by the mossed grey stone 
Hath laid her weary head! 
But thou, wild bramble ! back dost bring. 
In all their beauteous power, 
The fresh green days of life’s fair spring, 
And boyhood’s blossoming hour. 
Scorned bramble of the brake ! once more 
Thou bidd’st me be a boy, 
To gad with thee the woodlands o’er, 
In freedom and in joy.” 
R. corylifolius , Sm. Hazel-leaved Bramble. H. 97, 
B. 95. — E. July, August. S. 
Hedges and woods, frequent. 
R. saxatilis, L. Stone Bramble. H. 97, B. 97. — F. 
June, July. P. 
