OAK-TREE. 71 



tortuous irregularity of the massive boughs that start from 

 my giant trunk are strongly contrasted with the density 

 and richness of my luxuriant foliage. 



Who has not read concerning the oaks of Dodona, those 

 ancient trees which encircled a temple dedicated to the 

 Pagan idol Jupiter, fabled to form words of augury, when 

 the wind, gently whispering among their branches, caused 

 the leaves to strike one against another ; that old wood of 

 Imarus, with its rushing stream, which, as poets sing, had 

 power to light the torch that touched its clear waters, 

 flowing in their fulness at deep midnight, but scant and 

 low when the sun was high ; where cooing doves answered 

 from out the trees, and strange responses were heard from 

 solitary caves ? And thus, throughout all ages, men have 

 fabled that trees could speak, and thought them worthy of 

 double honour. But the oak has ever been pre-eminent. 

 Poets have sung concerning me, from the earliest periods 

 in this world's history. The Greeks bestowed upon me 

 appropriate honours, and from the smallest of my twigs were 



