 | The Triangular Society |  |
337
WINNIE.
In a home-nest of peace and joy,
Bright and pleasant as home can be,
Lives a merry and sweet-faced boy,
Under a broad old apple tree;
Searching wide, you will seldom meet
Child so blithesome and fair as he,
How can he help being pretty and sweet,
Dwelling under an apple tree?
Bright and pleasant as home can be,
Lives a merry and sweet-faced boy,
Under a broad old apple tree;
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Child so blithesome and fair as he,
How can he help being pretty and sweet,
Dwelling under an apple tree?
In the spring when the child goes out,
Glad as a bird that winter 's past,
Making his flower-beds all about,
Liking best what he finished last;
Then the tree from each blossomy limb,
Heaps its petals about his feet,
And like a benison over him
Scatters its fragrances, sweet to sweet.
Glad as a bird that winter 's past,
Making his flower-beds all about,
Liking best what he finished last;
Then the tree from each blossomy limb,
Heaps its petals about his feet,
And like a benison over him
Scatters its fragrances, sweet to sweet.
He has only to smile and win;
Face more lovely was never kissed;
Dear blue eyes and a dimpled chin,
Curls that dance in a golden mist;
Circled ever by tenderest care,
Taught and guided by love's decree,
How can he help being good and fair,
Dwelling under an apple tree?
Face more lovely was never kissed;
Dear blue eyes and a dimpled chin,
Curls that dance in a golden mist;
Circled ever by tenderest care,
Taught and guided by love's decree,
How can he help being good and fair,
Dwelling under an apple tree?
In the summer the dear old tree
Spreads above him its cooling shade,
Keeping the heat from his cheek while he
Playing at toil with rake and spade,
Chasing the humming-birds' gleam and dart,
Watching the honey-bees drink and doze,
Gathers in body and soul and heart,
Beauty and health, like an opening rose.
Spreads above him its cooling shade,
Keeping the heat from his cheek while he
Playing at toil with rake and spade,
Chasing the humming-birds' gleam and dart,
Watching the honey-bees drink and doze,
Gathers in body and soul and heart,
Beauty and health, like an opening rose.
339
In the autumn, before the leaves
Lose their greenness, the apples fall,
Roll on the roof and bounce from the eaves,
Pile on the porch, and rest on the wall;
Then he heaps on the grassy ground
Rosy pyramids brave to see;
How can he help being ruddy and sound,
Dwelling under an apple tree?
Lose their greenness, the apples fall,
Roll on the roof and bounce from the eaves,
Pile on the porch, and rest on the wall;
Then he heaps on the grassy ground
Rosy pyramids brave to see;
How can he help being ruddy and sound,
Dwelling under an apple tree?
In the winter, when winds are wild,
Then, still faithful, the sturdy tree
Keeps its watch o'er the darling child,
Telling him tales of the May to be;
Teaching him faith under stormy skies,
Bidding him trust when he cannot see;
How can he help being happy and wise,
Dwelling under an apple tree?
Then, still faithful, the sturdy tree
Keeps its watch o'er the darling child,
Telling him tales of the May to be;
Teaching him faith under stormy skies,
Bidding him trust when he cannot see;
How can he help being happy and wise,
Dwelling under an apple tree?
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