THE HOLLY-TREE. 



READER ! hast thou ever stood to see 



The Holly-tree? 

 The eye that contemplates it well perceives 



Its glossy leaves, 

 Ordered by an Intelligence so wise 

 As might confound the Atheist's sophistries. 



Below, a circling fence, its leaves are seen 



Wrinkled and keen ; 

 No grazing cattle through their prickly round 



Can reach to wound ; 

 But, as they grow where nothing is to fear, 

 Smooth and unarmed the pointless leaves appear. 



1 love to view these things with curious eyes. 



And moralize ; 

 And in this wisdom of the Holly-tree 



Can emblem see 

 Wherewith perchance to make a pleasant rhyme, 

 One which may profit in the after-time. 



Thus, though abroad perchance I might appear 

 Harsh and austere. 



