196 HYACINTH 



trace the hand of a beneficent Creator ; the same care 

 which he has bestowed on his creatures is extended to 

 plants ; this is remarkably the case with respect to hollies : 

 the edges of the leaves are provided with strong sharp 

 spines, as high up as they are within the reach of cattle ; 

 above that height the leaves are generally smooth, the 

 protecting spines being no longer necessary. 



O READER ! hast thou ever stood to see 



The holly tree? 



The eye that contemplates it well perceives 



Its glossy leaves ; 



Order'd by an Intelligence so wise 



As might confound an atheist's sophistries. 



Below a circling fence, its leaves are seen 



Wrinkled and keen ; 



No grazing cattle through their prickly round 



Can reach to wound ; 



But, as they grow where nothing is to fear, 



Smooth and unarm'd the pointless leaves appear. 



SOUTHEY. 



THE HYACINTH. 



The folloM'ing address to the hyacinth is extracted from 

 Tait's Magazine. The lines were sent to the editor of that 

 excellent periodical as the production of a young country 



