Plafotfjorit. 53 
proverb among the rural inhabitants of that country, 
that a “ store of haws portend cold winters.” Though 
the Hawthorn is quoted as the emblem of Hope, it 
must be considered more particularly as the lover’s 
hope. 
HOW MAT WAS FIRST MADE. 
As Spring upon a silver cloud 
Lay looking on the world below, 
Watching the breezes as they bowed 
The buds and blossoms to and fro, 
She saw the fields with Hawthorns walled: 
Said Spring, “New buds I will create.” 
She to a Flower-Spirit called, 
Who on the month of May did wait, 
And bade her fetch a Hawthorn-spray, 
That she might make the buds of May. 
Said Spring, “The grass looks green and bright, 
The Hawthorn-hedges too are green, 
I’ll sprinkle them with flowers of light, 
Such stars as earth has never seen; 
And all through England’s girded vales, 
Her steep hill-sides and haunted streams, 
Where woodlands dip into the dales, 
Where’er the Hawthorn stands and dreams, 
Where thick-leaved trees make dark the day, 
I’ll light each nook with flowers of May. 
Like pearly dew-drops, white and round, 
The shut-up buds shall first appear. 
And in them be such fragrance found, 
As breeze before did never bear; 
5 * 
