ARBOR DA V MANUAL. 
83 
THE HOLLY-TREE. 
0 READER ! hast thou ever stood to see 
The Holly-tree ? 
The eye that contemplates it will perceive 
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. 
I 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 after-time. 
Thus, though abroad perchance I might appear 
Harsh and austere 
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, 1798. 
