292 



SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



was only that which grew on the Oak that was cut by 

 the druids, or possessed heahng powers. 



Though tributary to Jupiter, the Oak is itself a sove- 

 reign, as may be gathered from undoubted authorities : 



And like the oke, the sovran of the woode 



says Chatterton. He speaks of its majestic appearance ; 

 calls it 



The oke^ of lordly look." 



And again, he compares it to a majestic woman : 



Majestic as the grove of okes that stoode 

 Before the abbie built by Oswalde^ kinge ; 

 Majestic as Hybernie's holy woode. 

 Where saintes and soules departed masses synge ; 

 Such awe from her sweete looke forthe issuynge 

 At once for reveraunce and love did calle." 



Dodsley, in his poem on agriculture, after naming 

 many other noble trees, proceeds : 



And last the oak, king of Britannia's woods,^ 

 And guardian of her isle." 



Cowper terms it 



" Lord of the woods, the long-surviving oak." 



Spenser gives it very extensive donoinions : 



" The builder oak, the king of forests all." 



And Fairfax even vouches for its coronation : 



" Oak, the king of forests crowned." 



Churchill goes so far as to affirm that, after death, it 

 is but translated to another sovereignty : 



