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THE OAK-TREE, 
The Oak-Tree was an acorn once, 
And fell upon the earth ; 
And sun and showers nourished it, 
And gave the Oak-Tree birth. 
The little sprouting Oak-Tree! 
Two leaves it had at first, 
Till sun and showers had nourished it, 
Then out the branches burst. 
The little sapling Oak-Tree! 
Its root was like a thread, 
Till the kindly earth had nourished it, 
Then out it freely spread : 
On this side and on that side 
It grappled with the ground; 
And in the ancient, rifted rock 
Its firmest footing found. 
The winds came, and the rain fell; 
The gusty tempests blew ; 
All, all were friends to the Oak-Tree, 
And stronger yet it grew. 
