THE HOLLY TREE. 
31 
I love to view these things with curious 
eyes, 
And moralise: 
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 r , 
Some harshness show. 
All vain asperities, I, day by day, 
Would w'ear 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 their fadeless hues display 
Less bright than they; 
