Earth never saw a tree more monstrous made -- Purple leaves dropsical and oozing blood, Thorned with a snarl of steel, and as for shade, A fetid smoke outpoured. A warty stem in tumid branches split, Nest of a carrion bird befouled with filth, The tree a-groan, and rotting under it A sodden meadow's tilth. Yet still, ah, still, forth from the reeking bough, Lo! a white blossom, pure as God above, Lily of freedom; and beside it now The rose of country-love. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FLUTE-PRIEST SONG FOR RAIN; CEREMONIAL AT THE SUN SPRING by AMY LOWELL THE SAD SONG, FR. THE CAPTAIN by JOHN FLETCHER JOHN BROWN'S BODY by CHARLES SPRAGUE HALL THE SPIRIT OF SHAKESPEARE: 2 by GEORGE MEREDITH UPON THE LATE LAMENTABLE ACCIDENT OF FIRE ... by JOHN ALLISON (1645-1683) DRAB BONNETS by BERNARD BARTON |