176 MISSELTOE. 



And all at once, by commutation strange, 

 Becomes a reverend, divine. 



HURDIS. 



Why, by the verities on thee made good, 

 May they not be my oracles. 



SHAKSPEARE. 



THE MISTLETOE. 



This plant, which is without an earthly inheritance, 

 makes no difficulty in attaching itself to the branches of 

 lofty trees, and there, without apparent labour, subsists 

 upon the ascending sap of its supporter. 



When drawn suspended on a tree, it is the symbol of 

 a flattering hanger-on. 



The naturalists are puzzled to explain 



How trees did first this stranger entertain; 



Whether the busy birds ingraft it there, 



Or, else, some deity's mysterious care. 



As Druids thought; for when the blasted oak 



By lightning falls, this plant, escapes the stroke. 



GARTH. 



