 | The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe |  |
THE AMBITIOUS VINE.
AN APOLOGUE OF THE ALGIC INDIANS.
A vine that stood beside a thriving Oak
Grew weary of the labor
Of self-support, and thus she plainly spoke
Unto her stronger neighbor:—
Grew weary of the labor
Of self-support, and thus she plainly spoke
Unto her stronger neighbor:—
“I prithee bend your handsome trunk to me,
My noble forest-brother;
That, mutually embracing, we may be
Supporters of each other.”
My noble forest-brother;
That, mutually embracing, we may be
Supporters of each other.”
“Nay,” said the tree, “I was not made to bend;
I'm strong and self-reliant,
As oaks are wont,—but you, my pretty friend,
Are twenty times as pliant!
I'm strong and self-reliant,
As oaks are wont,—but you, my pretty friend,
Are twenty times as pliant!
“So clasp your slender arms around me, dear;
And we will grow together,
High as yon azure cloud, nor ever fear
The roughest wind or weather!”
And we will grow together,
High as yon azure cloud, nor ever fear
The roughest wind or weather!”
“Nay, nay,” replied the foolish Vine, “I hate
To seem so much your debtor:
You do the twining, now, and I'll be straight;
I 'd like it vastly better!”
To seem so much your debtor:
You do the twining, now, and I'll be straight;
I 'd like it vastly better!”
162
“Nature wills otherwise,” the Oak replied,
“However you may grumble;
The moment such a silly plan were tried,
Together we should tumble!
“However you may grumble;
The moment such a silly plan were tried,
Together we should tumble!
“Come you to me; and, taking Nature's course,
We'll keep our proper places:
I to the twain will give my manly force,
And you your maiden graces.
We'll keep our proper places:
I to the twain will give my manly force,
And you your maiden graces.
“But if, perverse, you try to live alone,
With none to hold and cherish
Your slender form, before you 're fairly grown,
You certainly will perish.
With none to hold and cherish
Your slender form, before you 're fairly grown,
You certainly will perish.
“Or if, instead of fondly clinging fast
To one who would protect you,
You flirt with others,—all the trees at last
Will scornfully reject you.”
To one who would protect you,
You flirt with others,—all the trees at last
Will scornfully reject you.”
“I see,—I see!” exclaimed the musing Vine,
“The weaker must be nourished;”
Then clasped the oak with many a graceful twine,
And so they grew and flourished!
“The weaker must be nourished;”
Then clasped the oak with many a graceful twine,
And so they grew and flourished!
| The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe | |