Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/391

Nor sought, as heretofore, with Friendly Aid Only, new Motion to bestow Upon the sluggish Vapours, bred below, Condensing into Mists, and melancholy Shade. No more such gentle Methods you pursue, But marching now in terrible Array, Un distinguish'd was your Prey: In vain the Shrubs, with lowly Bent, Sought their Destruction to prevent; The Beech in vain, with out-stretch'd Arms, Deprecates th 'approaching Harms; In vain the Oak (so often storm'd) Rely'd upon that native Force, By which already was perform'd So much of his appointed Course, As made him, fearless of Decay, Wait but the accomplish'd Time 20 Of his long-wish'd and useful Prime, To be remov'd, with Honor, to the Sea. The strait and ornamental Pine Did in the like Ambition joyn, And thought his Fame shou'd ever last, When in some Royal Ship he stood the planted Mast; And shou'd again his Length of Timber rear, And new engrafted Branches wear Of fibrous Cordage and impending Shrouds, Still trimm'd with human Care, and water'd by the Clouds. But oh, you Trees! who solitary stood; Or you, whose Numbers form'd a Wood; You, who on Mountains chose to rise, And drew them nearer to the Skies; Or you, whom Valleys late did hold In flexible and lighter Mould;