ASPEN. 
185 
When, though all things appeared ’neath her influence 
blest, 
Thou alone wert disturbed, thou alone couldst not 
rest ! 
But still, as lamenting some dreadful decree, 
rhou groanedst in the calm, like an outcast lone tree ! 
A voice from its leaves seemed to wail on mine ear, 
“ List, mortal ; attend the dark source of my fear ; 
Ah, learn the dread hour when we sank ’neath rebuke, 
And our boughs, as if grasped by a hurricane, shook ! 
When the morn rose in blood, when the dead wept 
around, 
And a curse ’gainst our seed burst in woe from the 
ground !— 
“ The Cross, amidst lightning on Calvary stained, 
Was made from our roots; there His blood hath re¬ 
mained ! 
Creation, accursmg, in misery spoke, 
And a shudder eternal then first o’er us broke ! 
From the serpent we’re named, the last doomed to be¬ 
tray ! 
Oh ! no rest for the Aspen till earth fades away ! ” 
