There is a Yew-Tree, pride of Lorton Vale,
Which to this day stands single, in the midst
Of its own darkness, as it stood of yore;
Not loth to furnish weapons for the bands
Of Umfraville of Percy ere they marched
To Scotland's heaths: or those that crossed the sea
And drew their sounding bows at Azincour,
Perhaps at earlier Crecy, or Poictiers.
O vast circumference and gloom profound
This solitary tree! a living thing
Produced too slowly to decay;
Of form and aspect too magnificent
To be destroyed. But worthier still of note
Are those fraternal Four of Borrowdale,
Joined in one solemn and capacious grove;
Huge Trunks! and each particular trunk a growth
Of intertwisted fibres serpentine.
Perennially- beneath whose sable roof
Of boughs, as if for festal purpose decked
With unrejoicing berries - ghostly Shapes.
From The Yew by Wordsworth
Photo: Our Trittligasse Yew in Niederdorf Zurich