In connection with which may be quoted the words of Ovid to the
same effect:--
"Quid magis est durum saxo? Quid mollius unda?
Dura taneu molli saxa cavantur aqua?"
Then, again, it is commonly said that:--"Oaks may fall when seeds brave the storm."
And to give one more illustration:--"The greatest oaks have been little acorns."
Similarly, with trees in general, we find a good number of proverbs.
Thus one informs us that "Wise men in the world are like timber trees in
a hedge, here and there one." That there is some good in every one is
illustrated by this saying--"There's no tree but bears some fruit." The
familiar proverb, that "The tree is no sooner down but every one runs for
his hatchet," explains itself, whereas "The highest tree hath the greater
fall," which, in its moral application, is equally true. Again, an
agricultural precept enjoins the farmer to "Set trees poor and they will
grow rich; set them rich and they will grow poor," that is, remove them
out of a more barren into a fatter soil. That success can only be gained by
toil is illustrated in this proverb--"He that would have the fruit must
climb the tree," and once more it is said that "He who plants trees loves
others beside himself."
In the Midland counties there is a proverbial saying that "if there are
no kegs or seeds in the ash trees, there will be no king within the
twelvemonth," the ash never being wholly destitute of kegs. Another
proverb refers to the use of ash-wood for burning:--
"Burn ash-wood green,
'Tis a fire for a queen,
Burn ash-wood dear,
'Twill make a man swear;"
The meaning being that the ash when green burns well, but when dry
or withered just the reverse.
A form of well-wishing formerly current in Yorkshire was thus:--
"May your footfall be by the root of an ash,"