the ceyba and the yaguey.
13
And the Ceyba listened by stars and moon,
And softly answered it rune for rune.
And softly answered it rune for rune.
But alas for the stately Tree! indeed
Alas for it! a little seed
Bedded itself in the cloven bark,
Nor did the generous Ceyba mark
What life it gave, what strength went forth
Into the thing of little worth!
Alas for it! a little seed
Bedded itself in the cloven bark,
Nor did the generous Ceyba mark
What life it gave, what strength went forth
Into the thing of little worth!
Soon under the leaves might you espy,
Gliding and creeping silently
Forward from its buried root,
A wavering, young and snakelike shoot,
That little by little, day after day,
Twists and winds its quiet way,
'Mid shrinking leaves and buds that pine,—
And so, with many a hideous twine
Round tender twig, and bough, and branch,
Till one by one they bare and blanch,
Gliding and creeping silently
Forward from its buried root,
A wavering, young and snakelike shoot,
That little by little, day after day,
Twists and winds its quiet way,
'Mid shrinking leaves and buds that pine,—
And so, with many a hideous twine
Round tender twig, and bough, and branch,
Till one by one they bare and blanch,
