THE HOLLY-TREE. 



To those who on my leisure would intrude 



Reserved and rude, 

 Gentle at home amid my friends I'd be, 

 Like the high leaves upon the Holly-tree. 



And should my youth, as youth is apt, I know, 



Some harshness show, 

 All vain asperities I day by day 



Would wear away, 

 Till the smooth temper of my age should be 

 Like the high leaves upon the Holly-tree. 



And as, when all the summer trees are seen 



So bright and green. 

 The Holly-leaves a sober hue display 



Less bright than they ; 

 But when the bare and wintry woods we see, 

 What then so cheerful as the Holly-tree? 



So serious should my youth appear among 

 The thoughtless throng ; 



So would I seem amid the young and gay 

 More grave than they. 



That in my age as cheerful I might be 



As the green winter of the Holly-tree. 



Robert Southey. 



