The Collected Works of William Morris With Introductions by his Daughter May Morris |
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![]() | The Collected Works of William Morris | ![]() |
194
TAPESTRY TREES
OAK
I am the Roof-tree and the Keel;I bridge the seas for woe and weal.
FIR
High o'er the lordly oak I stand,And drive him on from land to land.
ASH
I heft my brother's iron bane;I shaft the spear, and build the wain.
YEW
Dark down the windy dale I grow,The father of the fateful Bow.
POPLAR
The war-shaft and the milking-bowlI make, and keep the hay-wain whole.
OLIVE
The King I bless; the lamps I trim;In my warm wave do fishes swim.
APPLE-TREE
I bowed my head to Adam's will;The cups of toiling men I fill.
VINE
I draw the blood from out the earth;I store the sun for winter mirth.
ORANGE-TREE
Amidst the greenness of my night,My odorous lamps hang round and bright.
FIG-TREE
I who am little among treesIn honey-making mate the bees.
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MULBERRY-TREE
Love's lack hath dyed my berries red:For Love's attire my leaves are shed.
PEAR-TREE
High o'er the mead-flowers' hidden feetI bear aloft my burden sweet.
BAY
Look on my leafy boughs, the CrownOf living song and dead renown!
![]() | The Collected Works of William Morris | ![]() |