68 FOREST FANCIES 



**A11 too late," the linden sighed, ''all too 

 late I shall swing my ivory censers !" 



"And I bear my altar flowers!" cried the 

 catalpa. 



''Kind thoughts are the true flowers of life," 

 said the elm. 



"Children," said the oak, "our bright spring 

 raiment is fleeting, like the flush of dawn ; our 

 true and enduring beauty lies in the use for 

 which this is but a joyful preparation." 



Then all the trees in their fair attire, a con- 

 gregation adorned for the Day, listened to the 

 pontiff oak. 



While flower-bells were ringing, 

 And perfumed censers swung, 



The oak spoke from his pulpit, 

 With shining tassels hung. 



Wood thrush and bluebird formed the choir ; 

 and the robin sounded the note that services 

 were to begin — nay, were to continue, for they 

 had begun long ago, when the first bud had 

 expanded and unfolded at the matin bell of 

 spring. 



