Valentine Verses or, Lines of Truth, Love, and Virtue. By the Reverend Richard Cobbold |
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THE TREE OF JAVA. |
 | Valentine Verses |  |
123
THE TREE OF JAVA.
'Tis a fiction, Sir, be sure,
Though some may deem it true;
I do not wish, Sir, to allure
Your senses from the view;
If you believe the simple talc,
Pray let the moral then prevail.—
Though some may deem it true;
I do not wish, Sir, to allure
Your senses from the view;
If you believe the simple talc,
Pray let the moral then prevail.—
'Tis said, the Tree of Java, stands
A lonely loathsome tree,
In midst of dreary trackless sands,
From vegetation free;
That not a bird, or beast, can bear,
For four miles round it, earth or air.
A lonely loathsome tree,
In midst of dreary trackless sands,
From vegetation free;
That not a bird, or beast, can bear,
For four miles round it, earth or air.
The poison'd gum, with rapid knife,
Is cut from off the tree,
By slaves condemn'd, who lose their life,
Or gain their liberty.
The arrow with the poison round,
Is sure to give a mortal wound.
Is cut from off the tree,
By slaves condemn'd, who lose their life,
Or gain their liberty.
The arrow with the poison round,
Is sure to give a mortal wound.
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The tree of Pride within our isle,
Grows just as deadly too;
You do not think it by your smile,
Believe me, it is true!
We slaves of men, the poison take,
'Tis Love alone, the ill can slake.
Grows just as deadly too;
You do not think it by your smile,
Believe me, it is true!
We slaves of men, the poison take,
'Tis Love alone, the ill can slake.
I've seen the tree! within its range
I wandered once myself,
And caught infection; passing strange
The consequence of pelf;
But have I'scap'd it?—Time will prove,
The good effects of healing Love.
I wandered once myself,
And caught infection; passing strange
The consequence of pelf;
But have I'scap'd it?—Time will prove,
The good effects of healing Love.
The Tree of Java, on the other side,
May fairly picture to you Human Pride.
I need but add,—Pray do not disapprove,
Of tree so fatal, being fell'd by Love.
May fairly picture to you Human Pride.
I need but add,—Pray do not disapprove,
Of tree so fatal, being fell'd by Love.
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