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trees, and especially to the Oak , the strength and defence of all our en- boojoyments, invironed as we are by the seas, and martial neighbours, is lefsto be wondered;
Non igitur Dryad® nostrates pectore vanoNec sine consulto coluetunt Numine Qucrcum;
Non illam Albionis jam turn celebravit honore
Stulta superstitio, venturive inscia smcli
Angliaci ingentes puto prawidifse triumphos
Roboris, imperiunique maris, quod maximus olim
CarolIdes vasta Victor ditione teneret. coulet, lib. vi.'Pb
Our British Druids, not with vain intent,
Or without Providence, did the Oak frequent;
That Albion did that Tree so much advance,
Nor superstion was, nor ignorance.
Those Priests divining even then, bespokeThe mighty triumphs of the Royal Oak:
When the sea’s empire with like boundlefs fame,
Victorious Charles, the son of Charles, shall claim.
as we may find the prediction gloriously followed by our ingenious Poet,where his Dryad consigns that sacred Depositum to this Monarch of theForest, the Oak , than which nothing can be more sublime and rapturous jwhilst we must never forget that wonderful Providence which saved thisforlorn and persecuted Prince, after his defeat at Worcester , under theshelter of this auspicious and hospitable tree; when
■ ■ — — — ■■ -All the countries fill’d
With enemies’ troops, in every house and GroveHis sacred head is at a value held,
They seek, and near, now very near they move.
What should they do ? They from the danger takeRash, hasty counsel; yet, from heav’n inspir’d,
A spacious Oak he did his Palace make,
And safely in its hollow womb retir’d.
The loyal Tree its willing boughs inclin’d,
Well to receive the climbing Royal Guest,
(In. Trees more pity than in Men we find)
And its thick leaves into an arbour prefs’d.
A rugged Seat of Wood became a Throne,
Th’ obsequious Boughs bis Canopy of State :
With bowing Tops the Tree its King did own,
And silently ador’d him as he sate.
•Uu
Volume II.