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HOPE. 
HAWTHORN. 
Now hawthorns blossom, now the daisies spring. 
POPE, 
Now all nature is enlivened with hope and 
with joy; the swallow has returned to us once 
more, and the nightingale warbles her enchant- 
ing songs in the neighbouring thickets, announc- 
ing the duration of fine weather, 
Around the hawthorn flings its rich perfume ! 
Poor vine-dressers! now be assured the cold 
frosts shall not again destroy the tender vine 
buds, the hope of your long and careful labours. 
Happy labourers! the rude north wind shall 
not blight your verdant plains; but the sun 
shall gild them with his genial rays, and ripen 
the fruit ye seek for. 
The hawthorn has been made the emblem 
of hope because the young and beautiful Athe- 
nian maids brought its branches, covered with 
flowers, to decorate their companions on their 
nuptial day, whilst they bare larger boughs of it 
to the altar. The altar of Hymen was lighted 
by torches made from the wood of this tree; 
and it also formed the fambeaux which illumi- 
nated the nuptial chamber. We are told that 
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