Here, brittle Hazels, Lawrels here advance,
And there tough Ash to form the Heroe's Lance;
Here silver Firs with knotless Trunks ascend,
There, Scarlet Oaks beneath their Acorns bend.
That Spot admits the hospitable Plane,
On this, the Maple grows with clouded Grain;
Here, watry Willows are with Lotus seen,
There, Tamarisk, and Box for ever green.
With double Hue here Mirtles grace the Ground,
And Laurestines, with purple Berries crown'd,
With pliant Feet, now, Ivies this way wind,
Vines yonder rife, and Elms with Vines entwin'd.
Wild Ornus now, the Pitch-tree next takes root,
And Arbutus adorn'd with blushing Fruit.
Then easy-bending Palms, the Victor's Prize,
And Pines erect with bristly Tops arise.
To Rhea grateful still the Pine remains,
For Atys still some Favour she retains;
He once in human Shape her Breast had warm'd,
And now is cherish'd to a Tree transform'd.
The Fable of Cyparissus.
Amid the Throng of this promiscuous Wood,
With pointed Top, the taper Cypress stood;
A Tree, which once a Youth, and heav'nly fair,
Was of that Deity the darling Care,
Whose Hand adapts, with equal Skill, the Strings
To Bows with which he kills, and Harps to which he sings.
For heretofore, a mighty Stag was bred,
Which on the fertile Fields of Cæa fed;
In Shape, and Size he all his Kind excell'd,
And to Carthæan Nymphs was sacred held.
His beamy Head, with Branches high display'd,
Afforded to it self an ample Shade;
