168 SYLVAN SKETCHES. 



Thus, though abroad perchance I might appear 



Harsh and austere, 

 To those who on ray leisure would intrude 



Reserved and rude, 



Gentle at home amid my friends I 'd be, 

 Like the high leaves upon the holly-tree. 



And should my youth, as youth is apt I know, 



Some harshness show, 

 All vain asperities I day by day 



Would wear away, 



Till the smooth temper of my age should be 

 Like the high leaves upon the holly-tree. 



And as when all the summer trees are seen 



So bright and green, 

 The holly leaves their fadeless hues display 



Less bright than they ; 

 But when the bare and wintry woods we see, 

 What then so cheerful as the holly-tree ? 



So serious should my youth appear among 



The thoughtless throng; 

 So would I seem among the young and gay 



More grave than they ; 

 That in my age as cheerful I might be 

 As the green winter of the holly-tree." 



Wordsworth also praises the Holly : 



" Where leafless oaks towered high above, 

 I sate within an under-grove 

 Of tallest hollies, tall and green ; 

 A fairer bower was never seen. 

 From year to year the spacious floor 

 With withered leaves is covered o'er, 

 You could not lay a hair between : 

 And all the year the bower is green. 

 But see where'er the hailstones drop 

 The withered leaves all skip and hop, 



