Mary Barber - The Oak and Its Branches

Lyrics

An Oak, with spreading Branches crown'd Beheld an Ivy on the Ground Expos'd to ev'ry trampling Beast That roam'd around the dreary Waste The Tree of Jove, in all his State With Pity view'd the Ivy's Fate; And kindly told her, She should find Security around his Rind: Nor was that only his Intent But to bestow some Nourishment The Branches saw, and griev'd to see Some Juices taken from the Tree Parent, say they, in angry Tone Your Sap should nourish us alone: Why should you nurse this Stranger Plant With what your Sons, in time, may want; May want, to raise us high in Air And make us more distinguish'd there 'Tis wеll -- the Parent--Tree reply'd; Must I, to gratify your Pridе Act only with a narrow View Of doing Good to none but you? Know, Sons, tho' Jove hath made me great I am not safe from Storms of Fate Is it not prudent then, I pray To guard against another Day? Whilst I'm alive, You crown my Head; This graces me alive, and dead