UNDER THE OLD BEECH TREES. 341 



UNDER THE OLD BEECH TREES. 



MONCURE BURKE. 



Under the old beech trees, 

 Fanned by the sleepy breeze, 

 Doin' ez I durn please, 



Whilin' time away ; 

 Close to the spring-fed pool. 

 Shady an' deep an' cool, 

 Watchin' the little fish fool 

 All the livelong day. 



Lyin' thar, easywise, 

 Old hat over my eyes, 

 Keepin' off bugs an' flies, 



'Joyin' ca'm repose ; 

 Hole in the old crown, too, 

 Peepin' out in the blue — 

 Way up — almost clean through ! 



Glimpsin' things — who knows ? 



Slavin' yonder in town 

 System got all run down, 

 Couldn't do nothin' but frown — 



Life warn't fit to keep ; 

 Came to the woods an' streams, 

 Now, an' begosh, it seems 

 Can't help smilin' dreams, 

 Wakin' or asleep ! 



Sure the Lord made this spot 

 Jes' for the weary lot ! 

 An' jes' as like as not 



He ain't fur away ; 

 So by the dear ol' trees, 

 Fanned by the sleepy breeze, 

 Take I my fill of ease, 



Dreamin' smiles all day ! 



