TAPESTRY TREES 



OAK. I am the Roof-tree and the Keel : 

 I bridge the seas for woe and weal. 



FIR. High o'er the lordly oak I stand, 

 And drive him on from land to land. 



ASH. I heft my brother's iron bane; 

 I shaft the spear and build the wain. 



YEW. Dark down the windy dale I grow, 

 The father of the fateful Bow. 



POPLAR. The war shaft and the rhilking-bowl 

 I make, and keep the hay-wain whole. 



OLIVE. The King I bless ; the lamps I trim ; 

 In my warm wave do fishes swim. 



APPLE-TREE. I bowed my head to Adam's will; 

 The cups of toiling men I fill. 



VINE. I draw the blood from out the earth; 

 I store the sun for winter mirth. 



ORANGE-TREE. Amidst the greenness of my night 

 My odorous lamps hang round and bright. 



FIG-TREE. I who am little among trees 

 In honey-making mate the bees. 



MULBERRY-TREE. Love's lack hath dyed my berries red: 

 For Love's attire my leaves are shed. 



PEAR TREE. High o'er the mead-flowers' hidden feet 

 I bear aloft my burden sweet. 



BAY. Look on my leafy boughs, the Crown 

 Of living song and dead renown ! 



William Morris. 



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