THE GNARLED PINE-TREE. 



for the sake of the breadth, the height, the 

 air, the space, the freedom. What matters 

 it to us though fire rage and wind blow, so 

 long as they leave us our love in peace, and 

 permit us to spread our sheltering shade 

 over our strong young saplings ? The hill- 

 tops are free : the hilltops are open : from 

 their peaks we can catch betimes some 

 crimson glimpses of the sunrise and the 

 morning. 



So, now, my Scotch fir, gnarled and 

 broken on the ridge, you know how I love 

 you, and why I sympathize with you. 



89 



