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The Tree of Liberty
As to the fruitful tree, which, in the Spring,Puts forth its fresh, green leaves, and blossoms red,
The canker-worm doth desolation bring,
And, like a fire, o'er all its branches spread;—
E'en thus, fair Liberty, thy tree doth stand!
Which at the first, did leaves and blossoms hold,
And with its boughs o'ershadowed all the land;
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But from neglect, from want of care and toil,
When now the harvest time was drawing near,
Become of basest men the prey and spoil;
Who blighted have the promise of the year;
And would the tree, which filled the earth with joy,
As well as its fair fruits, at once destroy!
Poem No. 58; c. 4 July 1863
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