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To a Birch-tree Cut Down, and Set Up in Llanidloes for a Maypole  Gruffydd ab Addaf ap Dafydd,  c. 1340-1370  :  Long are you exiled from the wooden slope, birch-tree, with your green hair in wretched state; you who were the majestic sceptre of the wood where you were reared, a green veil. Are now turned traitress to the grove. Your precinct was lodging for me and my love-messenger in the short nights of May. Manifold once (ah, odious plight!) were the carollings in your pure green crest, and in your bright green house I heard every bird-song make its way; under your spreading boughs grew herbs of every kind among the hazel saplings, when your dwelling-place in the wood was pleasing to my girl last year. But now you think no more of love, your crest above remains dumb; and from the green meadow and the upland, where your high rank was plain to see, you have gone bodily and in spite of the cost to the town where trade is brisk. Though the gift of an honourable place in thronged Llandidloes where many meet is good, not good, my birch, do I think your rape nor your site nor your habitation.  No good place is it for you for putting out green leaves, there where you make grimaces.  Every town has gardens with leafage green enough; and was it not barbarous, my birch, to make you wither yonder, a bare pole by the pillory? If you had not, at the time of leaves, to stand in the centre of the dry crossroads, though they say your place is a pleasant one, my tree, the skies of the glen would have been the better. No more will the birds sleep, no more will they sing in their shrill note on your fair gentle crest, sister of the dusky wood, so incessant will be the hubbub of the people around your tent – a cruel maiming! And the green grass will not grow beneath you, for the trampling of the townsmen’s feet, any more than it grew on the wind-swift path of Adam and the first woman long ago.  You were made, it seems, for huckstering, as you stand there like a market-woman;  and in the cheerful babble at the fair all will point their fingers at your suffering, in your one grey shirt and your old fur, amid the petty merchandise. No more will the bracken hide your urgent seedlings, where your sister stays; no more will there be mysteries and secrets shared, and shade, under your dear eaves; you will not conceal the April primroses, with their gaze directed upwards; you will not think now to inquire, fair poet tree, after the birds of the glen, God! Woe to us a cramped chill is on the land, a subtle dread, since this helplessness has come on you, who bore your head and your fine crest like noble Tegwedd of old. Choose from the two, since it is foolish for you to be a townsman captive tree: either to go home to the lovely mountain pasture, or to wither yonder in the town.

Article in the Illustrated London News 1852

May Day in the New Forest. (with illustration)

The little village of Burley, in the New Forest, Hampshire was the scene of a very interesting festivity on Saturday last, the 1st of May: and whilst we reflected on the pretty scene which there surrounded us, we rejoiced that our pages might still further extend this pleasure by Illustration, and perhaps the means of stimulating some of the richer inhabitants of such localities, in future years, to adopt a somewhat similar celebration of May-day; and show how trifling expense, trouble, and good management may insure much happiness to a class who enjoy but little of the sweets of this life.

Burley is delightfully situated in one of the loveliest parts of the New Forest, the prettiest spot in which was selected for the day's pleasure and amusement to the children belonging to the church and chapel schools. And here we would express our gratification at finding the promoters of the fete permitted no sectarian views of their own to induce their favouring one class of children above another.

This lovely spot is known to the foresters as Shabbon-bottom. It is a long-extended lawn, the smooth grass of which appeared more luxuriant in contrast with the heath and furze, the bright and golden blossom of which added not a little to the enchantment of the scene; bounded by gently rising eminences, and shaded here and there by beeches varied by the darker hue of holly, which were growing in pretty knolls about the hills.
A Maypole was erected in the centre of the lawn, tastefully decorated with green garlands; and at a little distance was a tent, wherein cake, buns, oranges, gingerbread, etc were most liberally distributed.

At three o'clock, the children, numbering 140, came upon the lawn, preceded by an excellent brass band, and accompanied by W. Clement D. Esdaile, Esq., of Burley Park; and Mrs Laurence Hill, of Burley Lawn; the originators of the fete.
The May Queen, chosen by lot from the three best girls of each school, walked under a muslin canopy tastefully decorated, and surmounted by a floral crown, supported by her four maids of honour.

Many visitors from Ringwood, the neibouring town, and Burley, with the parents of the children, conduced to make a large assemblage. A dance round the Maypole was commenced, whilst its outspreading ornaments of natural form and growth, in the shape of boughs and branches of evergreen, interspersed with the stag-horn, characteristic of the Forest, were hung around with sundry little presents to be afterwards distributed, that no child might go empty-handed from the gay scene.

The amusement was diversified by the approach of a "Jack-in-the-Green " who danced to a lively strain of two cornopeans.

After a plentiful supply of cake and tea, the children were adressed by the Rev. C. H. Maturin, vicar of Ringwood, and the Rev. Benjamin Maturin, the curate. They took the opportunity of impartining very excellent advice-in terms so simple, that the youngest child might understand: and in matter so important, that the oldest present might with profit take it to himself.
Thanks were proposed to Mr. Esdaile, who, though a resident at Burley Park of but six months, has already, by his active benevolence, endeared to himself all the inhabitants in the village. Rustic games followed, and not only kept the children but their older participators till the lengthening shades of evening warned them to depart.
Before separating, however, the various presents were distributed; and we saw nicely-dressed dolls, bookmarks, housewifes, bags, with other gifts carried away by happy girls; from which we suspected what we afterwards learned, that the fair hands of many ladies of the place had not been inactive in this labour of love. Ninepins, balls, bags of marbles, tops etc. were distributed amongst the boys. To the Queen of the May a nicely-bound Bible was presented by Mrs Esdaile; in handing which the husband of that lady made a very suitable address, reminding one and all of the children assembled, that, however happy the day may have been for them, such happiness, at the most was but for a season; that true joy was to be found in the path of righteousness, and the book he then presented would direct the way to treasures that faded not, to the peace which the world cannot give, and to happiness which will endure for ever.

The band, which had played with great spirit during the games, concluded the entertainment with the National Anthem. The weather was most propitious, the sun shining brightly. The children's holiday was made a general one; and the clean, neat, and tidy appearence of the dwellers of the New Forest, contrasted strongly with the pale and careworn countenances, etc. of the indwellers of the crowded town to which we were about to return.

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