As far as I can make out, you want me to tell you what I am, and what you are, and what this table is, and what this Council is, and what this world is for all I know.

Well, I will go so far as to rend the veil of one mystery.

If you want to know what you are, you are a set of highly well-intentioned young jackasses." "And you," said Syme, leaning forward, "what are you ?" "I?
What am I ?" roared the President, and he rose slowly to an incredible height, like some enormous wave about to arch above them and break.

"You want to know what I am, do you?
Bull, you are a man of science.

Grub in the roots of those trees and find out the truth about them.