<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">The Tree</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">Think</span> of her when she shall be dead</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">As of a kindly tree</p><p class="line">Within whose boughs some nests were made</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">For downy babes to be.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Through sun and shade on the greensward</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Her songs went up in praise</p><p class="line">Who mused upon the forest's Lord</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Through all her length of days.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">No king of woodland she, but just</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">A small tree, low and wide,</p><p class="line">By which some faint from heat and dust</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Sat down well satisfied.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Say that she had a well to keep</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Where all might drink their fill,</p><p class="line">Say that she comforted with sleep</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The sorefoot traveller still.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Say that the creatures came to graze, </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And lay in pastures cool</p><p class="line">Beside the pleasant water-ways, </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And her content was full.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Say that her pleasant maze of shade </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Soothed the aching eyes</p><p class="line">Like dew upon the heavy head </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Under the throbbing skies.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Say that her birds were never far </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">But they came home again</p><p class="line">And in her branches singing were </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Despite the snow and rain.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Say that in Spring her boughs were green,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The joy ran in her blood,</p><p class="line">That Summer clad her like a Queen </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Under a velvet hood.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">But say that when her Autumn came </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Her best was yet to be:</p><p class="line">She clad herself in gold and flame </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Like to a Burning Tree.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Say that she feared no Winter white </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">In whose thin boughs did swing</p><p class="line">The moon, the stars, for a lantern bright </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">To light the feet of Spring.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Say that her head was never bowed </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Though trouble might befall,</p><p class="line">The bird in her heart sang low and loud </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And made amends for all.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Say that in fine, her spring beside </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">She was merry and gave grace.</p><p class="line">And some were sorry when she died </p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Who lost a resting place.</p></div></body></html> · Great War