OF FOREST-TREES. 



357 



and long after all had been subdued to them ; nor could the most im- BOOK IV. 

 placable of enemies have expressed a resolution more barbarous. For, as 

 our own incomparable poet describes it, 



'Twas not enough alone to take the spoils 



Of God's and the king's houses ; these unjust 



And impious men destroy the stately piles : 

 Of ev'ry ruin there's a wicked lust. 



In every place the groaning carts are fill'd 

 With beams and stones ; so busy and so loud 



Are the proud victors, as they meant to build : 

 But they to ruin and destruction crowd. 



Timber, which had been buried many years 

 Under such royal towers, they invade : 



'Tis sure that hand the living never spares. 

 Which is so wicked to disturb the dead. 



Then all the woods the barbarous victors seize, 

 (The noble nursery of the fleet and town. 



The hopes of war and ornaments of peace,) 

 Which once religion did as sacred own. 



Now public use, and great convenience claims 

 The woods from private hands inviolate ; 



Which greedy men, to less devouring flames. 

 Do for sweet lucre freely dedicate. 



No age they spare, the tender Elm and Beech, 

 Infants of thirty years they overthrow ; 



Nor could old age itself their pity reach. 

 No reverence to hoary barks they know. 



The unhappy birds, an ever-singing choir. 

 Are driven from their ancient shady seats. 



And a new grief does Philomel inspire 



With mournful notes, which she all night repeats. 



Let them the woods and forests burn and waste. 

 There will be trees to hang the slaves at last ; 

 And God, who siich infernal men disclaims, 

 WiU root 'em out, and throw 'em into flames. 



In which he has shewed himself as well a prophet as a poet. 

 Volume II. Z z 



I 



