HOLLY-TREE. 357 



hair, like thine, was flaxen, his cheek as red, and his steps 

 as light. I warned him, as I warn thee, to beware lest he 

 fell into the deep snowdrift, arid he came warily : but the 

 day was exceeding cold, and the bleak east wind was hard 

 to bear ; his benumbed hands could hardly hold the knife, 

 with which to cut my branches, and he had not much heart 

 to sing the old song. However, he went away, having his 

 basket well filled with boughs and berries. Thy father, too, 

 he came here, while yet a stripling, singing the same song. 

 I remember, as if it were but yesterday, his black raven 

 locks and fine forehead, and I thought his voice one 

 of the most melodious that I had ever heard. He sang 

 his song blithely, and cheerfully went on to fill his little 

 willow basket ; when suddenly snow began to fall, at first 

 gently, then heavily, but the boy worked on, till having 

 done his task, he turned to go home, singing as he went 



Long mayest thou flourish, Holly-tree, 

 And thy branches wave strong o'er the bold and the free. 



But the wind had risen, and drove the snow full against 



