177 
THE YEW. 
Begard this Yew, a churchyard tree 
E’er William came from Normandy; 
With roots, deep buried in the ground, 
Twining tbe coffered dead around, 
And gloomy shadow wide bespread, 
Higb as the tower it lifts its head. 
Of vigorous growth and green for âge, 
Midst désolation and decay; 
In thoughtful mood, it seems to me 
Meet emblem of eternity! 
FbOM THE MS. OF A FbIEND. 
It is supposed that the présent scarcity of the Yew 
in its wild state, may be accounted for by its having 
been rooted up in conséquence of its poisonous qua- 
lities. Notwithstanding these, the juice has been 
esteemed an antidote to the venom of the viper’s 
bite; and, that no remedy besides this should be re- 
sorted to, was one of the twenty remarkable edicts 
published in one day by the Emperor Claudius. 
These trees sometimes grow to an immense size. 
I hâve read an account of one in the churchyard of 
Fortingal, on the Grampian hills, which, though but 
