VIII. THE STEM. 137 



but it is always twisting, in its own inner mind and force ; 

 hence it is especially proper to use the word 'stem' of it 

 crr/ji,/j,a, a twined wreath ; properly, twined round a 

 staff, or sceptre : therefore, learn at once by heart these 

 lines in the opening Iliad : 



" Sre/iuar' ex^v Iv X^P ff ^ v Jnj0o\(w 'AinfAAwj/os, 

 Xpvffey ai/ck tr/djTrrpy" 



And recollect that a sceptre is properly a staff to lean 

 upon ; and that as a crown or diadem is first a binding 

 thing, a ; sceptre ' is first a supporting thing, and it is in 

 its nobleness, itself made of the stem of a young tree. 

 You may just as well learn also this : 



u Nal /ict To'Se (T/cf/irrpoj', rb fj.ev otfirorc </>vAAa Kal 8ovs 



i' ir^pl ydp fid e 



*yAAa re Kal (p\oi6jf' vvv avrc fj.iy vies ' 

 'Eis iraXa/xT/s tyopiowfl 5t/ca(T7roAoi, o't re defjuaras 

 Hpbs Aibs elpvarai'" 



4 'Now, by this sacred sceptre hear me swear 

 "Which never more shall leaves or blossoms bear, 

 Which, severed from the trunk, (as I from thee,) 

 On the bare mountains left its parent tree ; 

 This sceptre, formed by tempered fcteel to prove 

 An ensign of the delegates of Jove, 

 From whom the power of laws and justice springs 

 (Tremendous oath, inviolate to Kings)." 



13. The supporting power in the tree itself is, I doubt 

 not, greatly increased by this spiral action ; and the fine 



