SYLVA 223 



that the ancient Gauls travelled hither for their initi- 

 ation. To this Tacitus assents, 14 Annal. and our 

 most learned critics vindicate it both from the Greeks 

 and French, impertinently challenging it : But the 

 very name it self, which is purely Celtic, does best 

 decide the controversie : For though Spue be quercus ; 

 yet Vossius skilfully proves that the Druids were 

 altogether strangers to the Greeks ; but what comes 

 yet nearer to us, dru^ fides (as one observes) begetting 

 our now antiquated trou, or true, makes our title the 

 stronger : Add to this, that amongst the Germans it 

 signified no less than God himself ; and we find drutin, 

 or trudin to import divine, or faithful in the Othfrid- 

 ian gospel, both of them sacerdotal expressions. But 

 that in this island of ours, men should be so extreamly 

 devoted to trees, and especially to the oak, the strength 

 and defence of all our enjoyments, inviron'd as we 

 are by the seas, and martial neighbours, is less to be 

 wonder'd, 



1 Our Brittish Druids not with vain intent, 

 Or without Providence did the oak frequent ; 

 That Albion did that tree so much advance 

 Nor superstition was, nor Ignorance, 

 Those priests divining even then, bespoke 

 The mighty triumphs of the royal oak : 

 When the sea's empire with like boundless fame, 

 Victorious Charles the son of Charles shall claim. 



as we find the prediction gloriously followed by our 



1 Non igitur Dryadae nostrates pectore vano, 

 Nee sine consulto coluerunt numine quercum ; 

 Non illam Albionis jam turn celebravit honore 

 Stulta superstitio, venturive inscia secli 

 Angliaci ingentes puto praevidisse triumphos 

 Roboris, imperiumque maris quod maximus olim 

 Carolides vasta victor ditione teneret. 



Coulei 1. 6. pi. 



