WHAT OTHERS SAY. 429 



I saw a spider stretch her gossamer ropes; 

 She told me of her secret plans and hopes: 

 "I catch the midge, and tangle in my claws 

 Sunbeams and rainbow hues!" 



\ heard a honey-bee that, hovering low 

 Above the grass, sang songs of long ago: 

 "New year, new flowers, new sweets, new joys — and yet 

 The old I'll not forget." — Wide Awake. 



"COME, LET US PLANT THE APPLE TREE." 



BRYANT, 



What plant we in this apple-tree ? 

 Buds, which the breath of summer days 

 Shall lengthen into leafy sprays ; 

 Boughs where the thrush, with crimson breast, 

 Shall haunt, and sing, and hide her nest ; 



We plant upon the sunny lea 

 A shadow for the noon-tide hours, 

 A shelter from the summer shower, 



When we plant the apple-tree. 



What plant we in this apple-tree .-' 

 Sweets for a hundred flowery springs 

 To load the May wind's restless wings, 

 When from the orchard row he pours 

 Its fragrance through our open doors ; 



A world of blossoms for the bee, 

 Flowers for the sick girl's silent room, 

 For the glad infant sprigs of bloom. 



We plant with the apple-tree. 



