stantius_, assures us, that
he saw, even in his Time, that famous _Oak_ in the Plains of _MambrE_,
under which _Abraham_ is reported to have dwelt, and adds, that the
People looked upon it with a great Veneration, and preserved it as a
Sacred Tree.

'The Heathens still went farther, and regarded it as the highest Piece
of Sacrilege to injure certain Trees which they took to be protected
by some Deity. The Story of _Erisicthon_, the Grove of _Dodona_, and
that at _Delphi_, are all Instances of this Kind.

'If we consider the Machine in _Virgil_, so much blamed by several
Criticks, in this Light, we shall hardly think it too violent.

'_AEneas_, when he built his Fleet, in order to sail for _Italy_, was
obliged to cut down the Grove on Mount _Ida_, which however he durst
not do till he had obtained leave from _Cybele_, to whom it was
dedicated. The Goddess could not but think her self obliged to protect
these Ships, which were made of Consecrated Timber, after a very
extraordinary Manner, and therefore desired _Jupiter_, that they might
not be obnoxious to the Power of Waves or Winds. _Jupiter_ would not
grant this, but promised her, that as many as came safe to _Italy_
should be transformed into Goddesses of the Sea; which the Poet tells
us was accordingly executed.

'And now at length the number'd Hours were come,
Prefix'd by Fate's irrevocable Doom,
When the great Mother of the Gods was free
To save her Ships, and finish_ Jove's _Decree.
First, from the Quarter of the Morn, there sprung
A Light that sign'd the Heavens, and shot along:
Then from a Cloud, fring'd round with Golden Fires,
Were Timbrels heard, and_ Berecynthian _Quires:
And last a Voice, with more than Mortal Sounds,
Both Hosts in Arms oppos'd, with equal Horror wounds.
O_ Trojan _Race, your needless Aid forbear;
And know my Ships are my peculiar Care.
With greater Ease the bold_ Rutulian _may,
With hissing Brands, attempt to burn the Sea,
Than singe my sacred Pines. But you my Charge,
Loos'd from your crooked Anchors launch at large,
Exalted each a Nymph: Forsake the Sand,
And swim the Seas, at_ Cybele's _Command.
No sooner had the Goddess ceas'd to speak,
When lo, th' obedient Ships their Haulsers break;
And, strange to tell, like Dolphins in the Main,
They plunge their Prows, and dive, and spring again:
As man