312 SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



however, are used in ship-building ; indeed most of the 

 trees of this genus. 



Sannazaro speaks of " il diritissimo Abete, nato a 

 sostenere pericoli del mare:"" the straight fir tree, formed 

 to sustain the dangers of the sea. 



The Pine is particularly noted for its height and 

 straightness. The Faithful Shepherdess, in lamenting 

 the death of her lover, says 



" My meat shall be what these wild woods afford, 

 Berries, and chestnuts, plantains, on whose cheeks 

 The sun sits smiling, and the lofty fruit 

 Pulled from the fair head of the straight-grown pine." 



Again, Perigort says to Amoret 



" Oh, you are fairer far 



Than the chaste blushing morn, or that fair star 

 That guides the wandering seaman o'er the deep, 

 Straighter than straightest pine upon the steep 

 Head of an aged mountain." 



" Here also grew the rougher-rinded pine, 

 The great Angoan ships' brave ornament, 

 Whom golden fleece did make an heavenly sign ; 

 Which coveting, with his high top's extent, 

 To make the mountains touch the stars divine, 

 Decks all the forest with embellishment." 



SPENSER, Virgil's Gnat. 



" Nod the cloud-piercing pines their troubled heads." 



WORDSWORTH'S Sketches in the Alps. 



" On thy white altar we 

 Lavish in fond idolatry, 



Herbs and rich flowers such as the summer uses ; 

 Some that in wheatcn fields 

 Lift their ml bells amidst the golden grain : 





