274 S Y L V A BOOK iv 



His hundred arms which lately through the air 



Were spread, now to as many boughs repair. 



A sevenfold bark his now stiff trunk does bind ; 



And where the gyant stood, a tree we find. 



The earth to Jove straight consecrates this tree, 



Appeasing so his injur'd deity ; 



Then 'twas that man did the first acorns eat. 



Although the honour of this plant be great, 



Both for its shade, and that it sacred is ; 



Yet when its branches shoot into the skies, 



Let them take heed, while with his brandish'd flame, 



The Thund'rer rages, shaking Natures frame, 



Lest they be blasted by his pow'rful hand, 



While tamarisks secure, and mirtles stand. 



The other parts of woods I now must sing ; 



With beech, and oak, let elm, and linden spring. 



Nor may your groves the alder-tree disdain, 



Or maple of a double-colour'd grain. 



The fruitful pine, which on the mountain stands, 



And there at large its noble front expands ; 



Thick-shooting hazle, with the quick-beam set, 



The pitch-tree, withy, lotus ever wet ; 



With well-made trunk here let the cornel grow, 



And here Orician terebinthus too ; 



And warlike ash : But birch and yew repress, 



Let pines and firs the highest hills possess : 



Brambles and brakes fill up each vacant space 



With hurtful thorns ; in your fields walnuts place 



And hoary junipers, with chesnuts good 



With hoops to barrel up Lyaeus blood. 



The difference which in planting each is found, 



Now learn ; since th' elm with happy verdure's crown'd : 



Since its thick branches do themselves extend, 



And a fair bark do's the tall trunk commend ; 



With rows of elm your garden or your field 



May be adorn'd, and the sun's heat repell'd. 



They best the borders of your walks compose ; 



Their comely green still ornamental shows. 



On a large flat continued ranks may rise, 



Whose length will tire our feet, and bound our eyes. 



The gardens thus of Fountain-bleau are grac'd, 



