OAK-TREE. 69 



ciations, and none, it may be, more than forest trees, the 

 oak especially, which carries back the thoughts of Britons 

 to their remotest ancestors. 



"When glance they back 



To time -corroded chronicles of old ; 

 When the fierce Briton pierced his winding track, 



Through ancient forests, to his nightly fold ; 

 And Druid priests from memory's hook unrolled 



A portion dire of horrid mysteries ; 

 Aroused to deadly fray the warriors bold ; 



While the dread cry of onset, through the trees, 

 Full to the adverse band, swell' d, deathful on the breeze. 



" There grew, irregular from nature's hand, 



Oaks of primeval stateliness, which cast 

 A thickening round of branches o'er the land ; 



And, bending, waved defiance to the blast. 

 Ages to them were playthings, for they pass'd, 



And others found them flourishing ; man's life 

 May well be deemed as nothing ; nations vast, 



Arts, dynasties, and language, may grow rife, 

 And sink, ere they submit to time's o'erwhelming strife. 



" Oh, could imagination paint the scene, 

 Of those gigantic patriarchs of the wood ; 



