276 S Y L V A BOOK iv 



They soon shoot up, and rise into a wood. 



Respect is likewise to the maple due, 

 Whose leaves, both in their figure, and their hue, 

 Are like the linden ; but it rudely grows, 

 And horrid wrinkles all its trunk inclose. 



The pine, which spreads it self in every part, 



And from each side large branches does impart, 



Adds not the least perfection to your groves ; 



Nothing the glory of its leaf removes. 



A noble verdure ever it retains, 



And o'er the humbler plants it proudly reigns. 



To the gods' mother dear ; for Cybele 



Turn'd her beloved Atys to this tree. 



On one of these, vain-glorious Marsyas died, 



And paid his skin to Phoebus for his pride. 



A way of boring holes in box he found, 



And with his artful fingers chang'd the sound. 



Glad of himself, and thirsty after praise, 



On his shrill box he to the shepherds plays. 



With thee, Apollo, next he will contend ; 



From thee all charms of musick do descend. 



But the bold piper soon receiv'd his doom ; 



(Who strive with heaven never overcome.) 



A strong-made nut their apples fortifies, 



Against the storms which threaten from the skies. 



The trees are hardy, as the fruits they bear, 



And where rough winds the rugged mountains tears 



There flourish best ; the lower vales they dread, 



And languish if they have not room to spread. 



Hazle dispersed in any place will live : 

 In stony grounds wild ash, and cornel thrive ; 

 In more abrupt recesses these we find, 

 Spontaneously expos'd to rain and wind. 



Alder, and withy, chearful streams frequent, 



And are the rivers only ornament. 



If ancient fables are to be believ'd, 



These were associates heretofore, and liv'd 



On fishy rivers, in a little boat, 



And with their nets their painful living got. 



