Page:Poems Nealds.djvu/159

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133

But there may many a tuneful bird
In safety build its nest,
And hatch its downy progeny
Among thy boughs, sweet chestnut tree!

And be thy smooth and velvet rind
By no rude hand defac'd;
And may the dull unletter'd hind,
With no fine feelings grac'd,
Ne'er find a peaceful shade in thee,
My own, my beauteous chestnut tree!

But should a being, gentle, mild,
Of noble mind possest,
Sweet poesy's enraptur'd child,
Beneath thy foliage rest,