THE WOODS. 19 



stories of a mythical ash-tree. It is related in 

 their sagas that "it is the largest and best of 

 trees ; its branches spread all over the world and 

 reach up over the heaven," and, much more, that 

 all had a meaning in the " brave days of old," to 

 these our rugged ancestors. 



It is by no accident that the trees and groves 

 and woods play so large a part in human history, 

 that they are interwoven with myths and legends 

 and religious rites. Through poetry, ancient and 

 modern, runs always the same echo of an unwrit- 

 ten forest hymn. The Hebrew prophets extol the 

 beauties of the cedars, and the virtues of the 

 "Balm of Gilead." "And the glory of Lebanon 

 shall come unto thee, the fir tree and the box 

 tree together, to beautify the place of my sanc- 

 tuary." This universal sentiment of mankind 

 finds a voice in the poets ; Bryant exclaims : 



"Father, thy hand 



Hath reared these venerable columns ; them 

 Did'st weave this verdant roof ! " 



Longfellow writes : 



" There is a spirit in these quiet woods ; 

 With what a tender and impassioned voice 

 It fills the nice and delicate ear of thought. 



Hence gifted bards 



Have ever loved the calm and quiet shades ; 

 For them there was an eloquent voice in all 

 The sylvan pomp of woods." 



