Poems by the late Hon. William R. Spencer A New Edition with Corrections and Additions; To Which is Prefixed A Biographical Memoir by the Editor |
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ON A DYING BAY-TREE. |
 | Poems by the late Hon. William R. Spencer |  |
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ON A DYING BAY-TREE.
Have I not seen each breath of spring
With greener health supply thee?
Have I not heard the whirlwind's wing
Sweep impotently by thee?
With greener health supply thee?
Have I not heard the whirlwind's wing
Sweep impotently by thee?
Nor midday blaze nor midnight chill
To fade thy bloom attempted;
And Jove's commission'd lightning still
Thy sacred stem exempted.
To fade thy bloom attempted;
And Jove's commission'd lightning still
Thy sacred stem exempted.
Yet now the bay-tree droops, around
Its classic foliage strewing—
And small, how small! the secret wound
That wrought such speedy ruin!
Its classic foliage strewing—
And small, how small! the secret wound
That wrought such speedy ruin!
Long, by no open force oppress'd,
With time, with storms it wrestled;
It died—when in its verdant breast
One mining canker nestled!
With time, with storms it wrestled;
It died—when in its verdant breast
One mining canker nestled!
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So droops that pow'r, for whom its leaves
The wreath of glory braided;
Fancy, nor wound, nor shock receives,
By outward ills invaded.
The wreath of glory braided;
Fancy, nor wound, nor shock receives,
By outward ills invaded.
Though scorn, or envy's keenest dart,
With vain attacks annoy her—
One hidden pang that gnaws the heart,
Is Fancy's sure destroyer!
With vain attacks annoy her—
One hidden pang that gnaws the heart,
Is Fancy's sure destroyer!
| Poems by the late Hon. William R. Spencer | |