Literature and Art 43 



"Ah!" begged each silly, pouting leaf, 



"Let us a little longer stay; 



Dear Father Tree, behold our grief, 



'Tis such a very pleasant day 



We do not want to go away." 



So, just for one more merry day 

 To the great Tree the leaflets clung, 

 Frolicked and danced and had their way, 

 Upon the autumn breezes swung, 

 Whispering all their sports among : 



' ' Perhaps the great Tree will forget 

 And let us stay until the spring, 

 If we all beg and coax and fret." 

 But the great Tree did no such thing; 

 He smiled to hear their whispering. 



"Come, children all, to bed," he cried; 

 And ere the leaves could urge their prayer 

 He shook his head, and far and wide, 

 Fluttering and rustling everywhere, 

 Down sped the leaflets through the air. 



I saw them; on the ground they lay, 

 Golden and red, a huddled swarm, 

 Waiting till one from far away, 



