18 THE ENGLISH GARDE N.. 



Will fpare the long cathedral ifle of lhade 



In which they fojourn ; Tafte were facrilege,, 



If, lifting there the axe, it dar'd invade 325: 



Thofe fpreading oaks that in fraternal files 



Have pair'd for centuries, and heard the ftrains 



Of SIDNEY'S, nay, perchance, of SURRY'S reed. 



Heav'ns ! muft they fall ? They muft, their doom is paft.. 



None fhall efcape : unlefs mechanic Skill, 330 



To fave her offspring, roufe at our command ; 



And, where we bid her move, with engine huge, 



Each ponderous trunk, the ponderous trunk there move. 



A work of difficulty and danger try'd,. 



Nor oft fuccefsful found. But if it fails,, 335. 



Thy axe muft do its office. Cruel tafk, 



Yet needful. Truft me, tho' I bid thee ftrike,, 



Reluctantly I bid thee : for my foul 



Holds dear an antient oak, nothing more dear y 



It is an antient Friend. Stay then thine hand ; 340 



And try by faplings tall, difcreetly plac'd 



Before, between, behind, in fcatter'd groups, 



To 



