78 FLORA'S LEXICON. 



LM. Ulmus. Class 5, Pentandria. Or- 

 der : Digynia. The elm is a very majes- 

 tic tree ; in beauty, dignity, and usefulness, 

 yielding only to the oak. Gilpin gives pre- 

 ference to the ash in his scale of excellence, 

 because it has more of individuality than 

 the elm, which he esteems a great source 

 of picturesque beauty. But his objection applies to the tree only 

 in its skeleton state. When in full leaf, the elm shows itself an 

 elm. 



DIGNITY. 



Follow me, as I sing 



And touch the warbled string; 



Under the shady roof 



Of branching elm, star-proof, 



Follow me ! 



Anon. 



Ye fallen avenues ! once more I mourn 

 Your fate unmerited, once more rejoice 

 That yet a remnant of your race survives. 

 How airy and how light the graceful arch ! 

 Yet awful as the consecrated roof 

 Re-echoing pious anthems ! while beneath 

 The checker'd earth seems restless as a flood 

 Brush'd by the wind. So sportive is the light 

 Shot through the boughs, it dances as they dance, 

 Shadow and sunshine intermingling quick, 

 And dark'ning and enlight'ning, as the leaves 

 Play wanton, ev'ry moment, ev'ry spot. 



COW PER. 



-There, fast rooted in their bank, 



Stand, never overlook'd, our favourite elms. 



COWPER. 



