342 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



former days, and concerning great ones of the earth, who 

 does not behold in my tribe, said a magnificent yew, objects 

 of great interest ? Castle Eden Dean, near Durham, is 

 one of our favourite localities ; and travellers journey from 

 foreign parts to visit the pride of Lorton vale, and the four 

 fraternal trees of Borrowdale. 



There is a yew-tree, pride of Lorton vale, 



Which to this day stands singly in the midst 



Of its own darkness, as it stood of yore, 



Nor loath to furnish weapons, in the hands 



Of Umphraville or Percy, ere they marched 



To Scotland's heath, or those that crossed the sea, 



And drew their sounding bows at Agincourt 



Perhaps at earlier Cressy, or Poictiers. 



Of vast circumference, and gloom profound, 



This solitary tree ! a living thing, 



Produced too slowly ever to decay ; 



Of form and aspect too magnificent 



To be destroyed. But worthier still of note 



Are those fraternal four of Borrowdale, 



Joined in one solemn and capacious grove ; 



Huge trunks ! and each particular trunk a growth 



Of intertwisted fibres serpentine, 



Upcoiling, and mveterately convolved, 



