THE FOREST TREES.
When the ribs and masts of the good ship live
And weather the gale with ease
Take his glass from the tar, who will not give
A health to the forest trees!
And weather the gale with ease
Take his glass from the tar, who will not give
A health to the forest trees!
Ye lend to Life its earliest joy,
And wait on its latest page!
In the circling hoop for the rosy boy,
And the easy chair for Age.
And wait on its latest page!
In the circling hoop for the rosy boy,
And the easy chair for Age.
The old man totters on his way,
With footsteps short and slow;
But without the stick for his help and stay,
Not a yard's length could he go.
With footsteps short and slow;
But without the stick for his help and stay,
Not a yard's length could he go.
The hazel twig in the stripling's hand
Hath magic power to please;
And the trusty staff and slender wand
Are pluck'd from the forest trees.
Hath magic power to please;
And the trusty staff and slender wand
Are pluck'd from the forest trees.
Ye are seen in the shape of the blessed plough,
And the merry ringing flail;
Ye shine in the dome of the monarch's home,
And the sacred altar-rail.
And the merry ringing flail;
Ye shine in the dome of the monarch's home,
And the sacred altar-rail.
In the rustic porch, the panel'd wall,
In the gay, triumphal car;
In the rude-built hut, or the banquet hall;
No matter there ye are!
In the gay, triumphal car;
In the rude-built hut, or the banquet hall;
No matter there ye are!
Then up with your heads, ye sylvan lords,
Wave proudly in the breeze;
From our cradle bands to our coffin boards,
We're in debt to the forest trees.
Wave proudly in the breeze;
From our cradle bands to our coffin boards,
We're in debt to the forest trees.
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