Boothby: The Trees Protected by the Gods

In days of yore, each God selected
A Tree, by him to be protected:
Phoebus the Bay; the Oak was Jove's;
The beauteous Mother of the Loves
The Myrtle chose; the Poplar tree,
Alcides: the Pine, Cybele.
"Why," says Minerva, "do you please
To choose such unproductive trees?"
Because," says Jove, "we would not seem
To give for profit our esteem."
Pallas replies, "Say what you will,
I love my useful Olive still,
For its good fruit." Then father Jove,
"O wisest of the powers above!
Thou well hast said! True worth alone
By its utility is shown."

Source: Boothby - Phaedrus 3.16.

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