THINK of her when she shall be dead As of a kindly tree Within whose boughs some nests were made For downy babes to be. Through sun and shade on the greensward Her songs went up in praise Who mused upon the forest's Lord Through all her length of days. No king of woodland she, but just A small tree, low and wide, By which some faint from heat and dust Sat down well satisfied. Say that she had a well to keep Where all might drink their fill, Say that she comforted with sleep The sorefoot traveller still. Say that the creatures came to graze, And lay in pastures cool Beside the pleasant waterways, And her content was full. Say that her pleasant maze of shade Soothèd the aching eyes Like dew upon the heavy head Under the throbbing skies. Say that her birds were never far But they came home again And in her branches singing were Despite the snow and rain. Say that in Spring her boughs were green, The joy ran in her blood, That Summer clad her like a Queen Under a velvet hood. But say that when her Autumn came Her best was yet to be: She clad herself in gold and flame Like to a Burning Tree. Say that she feared no Winter white In whose thin boughs did swing The moon, the stars, for a lantern bright To light the feet of Spring. Say that her head was never bowed Though trouble might befall; The bird in her heart sang low and loud And made amends for all. Say that in fine, her spring beside, She was merry and gave grace, And some were sorry when she died Who lost a resting-place. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOLY SONNET: SATIRE 3. ON RELIGION by JOHN DONNE TO PFRIMMER (LINES ON READING 'DRIFTWOOD') by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS by FRANCIS HOPKINSON GREENWOOD CEMETERY by CRAMMOND KENNEDY DANNY DEEVER by RUDYARD KIPLING THE SKELETON IN ARMOR by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW SIXTY-EIGHTH BIRTHDAY by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL SONNET: 9. TO A VIRTUOUS YOUNG LADY by JOHN MILTON UNDERWOODS: BOOK 1: 5. THE HOUSE BEAUTIFUL by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON |