45 



SPRINGTIME. 



15Y ELLEN BEAUCHAMP. 



(Air: "Auld Lang Syne.") 



The winter storms have passed away, 



And springtime now is here 

 With sunshine smiling all around, 



And heavens blue and clear. 

 The gifts of nature brighten earth, 



And Nature her garden gay ; 

 They give us a cheery greeting bright 



On this, the Arbor Day. 



The birds with gladsome voices sing 



Each its melodious lay, 

 And music swells each little throat 



On this, the Arbor Day. 

 The trees put forth their greenest leaves 



On this, the Arbor Day. 

 And welcome now the chosen tree 



Which we shall plant to-day. 



" The Brave Old Oak " is an excellent song for the Arbor Day program. 



PLANT A TREE. 



He who plants a tree, 



Plants a hope. 



Kootlets up through fibres blindly grope ; 

 Leaves unfold into horizons free. 



So man's life must climb 



From the clods of time 



Unto heavens sublime. 

 Canst thou prophesy, thou little tree, 

 What the glories of thy boughs shall be? 



He who plants a tree, 



Plants a joy ; 



Plants a comfort that will never cloy. 

 Every day a fresh reality. 



Beautiful and strong, 



To whose shelter throng, 



Creatures blithe with song. 

 If thou couldst but know, thou happy tree, 

 Of the bliss that shalt inhabit thee. 



He who plants a tree, 



He plants youth ; 

 Vigor won for centuries in sooth ; 

 Life of time, that hints eternity ! 



Boughs their strength uprear, 



New shoots every year 



On old growths appear. 

 Thou shalt teach the ages, sturdy tree, 

 Youth of soul is immortality. 



He who plants a tree, 



He plants peace. 



Under its green curtains jargons cease, 

 Leaf and zephyr murmur soothingly, 



Shadows soft with sleep 



Down tired eyelids creep, 



Balm of slumber deep. 

 Never hast thou dreamed, thou blessed tree, 

 Of the benediction thou shalt be. 



He who plants a tree, 



He plants love ; 



Tents of coolness spreading out above 

 Wayfarers, he may not live to see. 



Gifts that grow are best ; 



Hands that bless are blest ; 



Plant ; life does the rest. 

 Heaven and earth help him who plants a 



tree, 

 And his work its own reward shall be. 



Lucy Larcom. 



