HOLLY. 
203 
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 emblems see, 
Wherewith perchance to make a pleasant rhyme, 
One which may profit in the 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 vam 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 ?— 
