LIME THEE. 



223 



This poet, who was the first, and has hitherto been 

 the only mortal, who has been honoured with the sight 

 of the Nepheliads in person, informs us that they love 



" a leafy nook and lone^, 



Where the bark on the small treen 



Is with moisture always green ; 



And Hme tree bowers, and grass-edged lanes 



"With little ponds that hold the rains, 



^yhere the nice-eyed wagtails glance. 



Sipping 'twixt their jerking dance/* 



Nymphs, part ii. 



According to Rapin, (whom on this account we must 

 quote, notwithstanding the poverty of the English ver- 

 sion,) Baucis and Philemon were transformed to Lime 

 trees : 



" The mounting limes will all their care requite. 

 Who take in shady walks a true delight ; 

 WTiile these you plant, Philemon call to mind. 

 In love and duty with his Baucis join'd, 

 A good old pair whom poverty had tried. 

 Nor could their vows and nuptial faith divide ; 

 Their humble cot with sweet content was blest, 

 And each benighted stranger was their guest : 

 When Jove unknown they kindly entertained. 

 This boon the hospitable pair obtained. 

 Laden with years, and weak through length of time. 

 That they should each become a verdant lime." 



Cowley praises the Lime tree very highly, in his poem 

 on trees. 



Sannazaro calls it " la incorrutihile Tiglia^^ the in- 

 corruptible Lime ; for, says the editor, non sente mat 

 corrottione di sorte alcuna.'''' " It never feels corruption 

 of any sort*.'' 



* Arcadia di M. 1 Sannazaro, prosa prima. 



