SYLVA 275 



By spreading elms, which on each side are plac'd. 

 Where endless walks the pleas'd spectator views, 

 And ev'ry turn the verdant scene renews. 



The sage Corycian thus his native field, 



Near swift Oebalian Galesus till'd. 



A thousand ways of planting elms he found ; 



With them he would sometimes inclose his ground : 



Oft in directer lines to plant he chose ; 



From one vast tree a num'rous offspring rose. 



Each younger plant with its old parent vies, 



And from its trunk like branches still arise. 



They hurt each other if too near they grow ; 



Therefore to all a proper space allow. 



The Thracian bard a pleasing elm-tree chose, 



Nor thought it was below him to repose 



Beneath its shade, when he from hell return'd, 



And for twice-lost Eurydice so mourn'd. 



Hard by cool Hebrus Rhodop' does aspire ; 



The artist, here, no sooner touch'd his lyre, 



But from the shade the spreading boughs drew near, 



And the thick trees a sudden wood appear. 



Holm, withy, cypress, plane trees thither prest : 



The prouder elm advanc'd before the rest : 



And shewing him his wife, the vine, advis'd, 



That nuptial rites were not to be despis'd. 



But he the counsel scorn'd, and by his hate 



Of wedlock, and the sex, incurr'd his fate. 



High shooting linden next exacts your care ; 

 With grateful shades to those who take the air. 

 When these you plant, you still should bear in mind 

 Philemon and chaste Baucis : these were joyn'd 

 In a poor cottage, by their pious love, 

 Whose sacred ties did no less lasting prove, 

 Than life it self. They Jove once entertain'd, 

 And by their kindness so much on him gain'd ; 

 That, being worn by time's devouring rage, 

 He chang'd to trees their weak and useless age. 

 Though now transform'd, they male and female are ; 

 Nor did their change ought of their sex impair. 

 Their timber chiefly is for turners good ; 



