88 THE MOUNTAINS 



sincerity and "homely humanity" of Wil- 

 liam Wordsworth. 



The Friendship of a Tree 



There came a time when men were far, 

 And Christ himself I could not see, 



Then, like the creatures of the air, 

 I found the friendship of a tree. 



He stood there silent in his joy, 

 He did not try to speak to me, 



And yet I knew, without a word, 

 I had the friendship of a tree. 



And now I meet him day by day ; 



In rain and wind I watch his glee; 

 My restless sorrow builds a nest 



In mystic friendship with a tree. 



