POETRY OF YEWS. 297 



N ' 



the absence of rain for a longer time than is 

 usual. As to the yews, which I am pleased 

 to find excite your surprise, let me tell you 

 they have not been unsung. They have been 

 the subject of some fine lines by our great poet, 

 who, contrasting them with a yew, not far dis- 

 tant 



" The pride of Lorton vale, 

 Which to this day stands single in the midst 

 Of its own darkness, as it stood of yore : " 



Says of these, 



" But worthier still of note 

 Are those fraternal four of Borrowdale, 

 Joined in one solemn and capacious grove.'* 



The meditative description of them which 

 follows is happily in accordance with the solem- 

 nity of their aspect, so distinct in character. 



AMICUS. Viewed at a little distance, such 

 indeed is their appearance; but now we are 

 under their wide-spreading branches, and see 

 nearer their colour, that which seemed black is 

 a fine dark green, conveying, with their delicate 

 foliage and richly coloured and massive trunks 

 and limbs, rather the idea of beauty and strength, 

 than of gloom and solemnity, of beauty and 



