THE
ELM
AND
VINE
.
A
FABLE
.
Inscribed
to
a
LADY
who
expressed
a
great
aversion
to
MARRIAGE
.
IN
Aesop's
days
,
when
trees
cou'd
speak
,
And
talk
in
Hebrew
,
Latin
,
Greek
,
An
elm
and
vine
,
by
chance
near
neighbours
,
Tho'
separate
,
each
pursu'd
their
labours
;
The
vine
,
with
native
sweetness
fraught
,
For
man
prepar'd
the
chearing
draught
;
Her
tendrils
curl'd
along
the
plain
,
And
ruddy
clusters
swell'd
amain
.
The
tow'ring
elm
could
little
boast
,
But
leaves
—
a
barren
shade
at
most
;
Save
when
by
woodman's
sturdy
stroke
Cut
down
to
make
a
chair
,
or
spoke
;
Yet
tho'
but
small
his
claim
to
merit
,
Not
wholly
void
of
sense
or
spirit
,
His
neighbour's
worth
he
view'd
with
smiles
,
And
long'd
to
share
her
useful
toils
.
For
,
"
O
!
said
he
,
were
we
but
one
,
"
Sure
bliss
would
enter
here
alone
;
"
For
I
by
you
encircled
high
,
"
Should
scorn
the
oak's
proud
majesty
,
"
While
your
rich
fruit
time
might
mature
"
From
storms
and
savage
beasts
secure
;
"
Our
mutual
help
would
soothe
our
care
,
"
And
heav'n
approve
the
happy
pair
.
"
"
Forbear
,
sir
elm
,
the
vine
reply'd
,
"
Nor
wonder
if
your
suit's
deny'd
.
"
Shall
I
give
up
my
independence
,
"
On
your
caprice
to
dance
attendance
?
"
Must
I
,
or
nod
,
or
bend
,
or
twine
,
"
Just
as
your
worship
shall
incline
?
"
Or
shall
my
charms
,
which
all
admire
,
"
Become
a
barren
tree's
attire
?
"
No
—
seek
more
suitable
alliance
—
"
I
to
all
danger
bid
defiance
.
"
Here
,
unconfin'd
,
I
range
my
fill
;
"
And
bounteous
nature
waits
my
will
.
"
At
this
the
modest
elm
struck
mute
,
Forbore
to
urge
his
friendly
suit
:
But
,
sorely
griev'd
to
meet
disdain
,
A
tender
sigh
express'd
his
pain
.
When
,
lo
!
thick
darkness
veils
the
pole
,
Dread
lightnings
flash
,
loud
thunders
roll
;
Impetuous
rains
in
floods
descend
,
And
trembling
nature
fears
an
end
.
The
vine
,
faint
,
spiritless
,
forlorn
,
Now
seeks
the
succour
late
her
scorn
:
Creeps
feebly
to
the
elm's
embrace
;
And
in
his
arms
finds
sweet
solace
;
United
thus
they
storms
defy
,
And
mutual
grace
and
aid
supply
.