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ARBOR DA Y MANUAL. 
UNDER THE WASHINGTON ELM, CAMBRIDGE. 
APRIL 27, l86l. 
E IGHTY years have passed, and more, 
Since under the brave old tree 
Our fathers gathered in arms, and swore 
They would follow the sign their banners bore, 
And fight till the land was free. 
Half of their work was done, 
Half is left to do,— 
Cambridge, and Concord and Lexington ! 
When the battle is fought and won, 
What shall be told of you ? 
Hark ! — ’t is the south wind moans,— 
Who are the martyrs down ? 
Ah, the marrow was true in your children’s bones 
That sprinkled with blood the cursed stones 
Of the murder-haunted town ! 
What if the storm-clouds blow? 
What if the green leaves fall ? 
Better the crashing tempest’s throe 
Than the army of worms that gnawed below; 
Trample them one and all! 
Then, when the battle is won, 
And the land from traitors free. 
Our children shall tell of the strife begun 
When Liberty’s second April sun 
Was bright on our brave old tree. 
Holmes. 
FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE. 
D ID you ever think how different the world would be — what a sad want 
there would be in it — if it wanted flowers? The green herbage and 
foliage are also beautiful both in form and in color. In winter, when the 
plants are withered, and the trees are bare, how bleak and dreary the country 
looks ! When spring returns, how gladly we watch the bursting of the buds, 
and behold the trees and plants putting forth anew their leaves and blossoms ! 
Bright flowers, green trees, and singing birds! our hearts are the lighter for 
them. 
