FOREST HYMN 199 



Mine host it was an apple tree 



He smilingly received me, 

 And spread his sweetest, choicest fruit 



To strengthen and relieve me. 



Full many a little feathered guest 

 Came through his branches springing; 



They hopped and flew from spray to spray, 

 Their notes of gladness singing. 



Beneath his shade I laid me down, 

 And slumber sweet possessed me; 



The soft wind blowing through the leaves 

 With whispers low caressed me. 



And when I rose and would have paid 



My host, so open-hearted, 

 He only shook his lofty head 



I blessed him and departed. 



FOREST HYMN 



BY WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT 



THE groves were God's first temples. Ere man 



learned 



To hew the shaft, and lay the architrave, 

 And spread the roof above them ere he framed 

 The lofty vault to gather and roll back 

 The sound of anthems in the darkling wood, 



