PLANTING OF THE APPLE-TREE 21 



in free air and glorious sunshine, it is an emblem of 

 what a true nobleman should be; a refuge for the 

 weak a shelter for thej oppressed a defense 

 for the defenseless; warding off from them the 

 pel tings of the storm, or the scorching rays of arbi- 

 trary power. 



THE PLANTING OF THE APPLE-TREE 



BY WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT 



COME, let us plant the apple-tree! 

 Cleave the tough greensward with the spade; 

 Wide let its hollow bed be made; 

 There gently lay the roots, and there 

 Sift the dark mold with kindly care, 



And press it o'er them tenderly, 

 As round the sleeping infant's feet 

 We softly fold the cradle-sheet; 



So plant we the apple-tree. 



What plant we in this apple-tree? 

 Buds which the breath of summer days 

 Shall lengthen into leafy sprays; 

 Boughs where the thrush, with crimson breast, 

 Shall haunt, and sing, and hide her nest; 



We plant upon the sunny lea 

 A shadow for the noontide hour, 

 A shelter from the summer shower, 



When we plant the apple-tree. 



