O Reader! hast thou ever stood to see
The Holly-tree?
The eye that contemplates it well perceives
read more

O Reader! hast thou ever stood to see
The Holly-tree?
The eye that contemplates it well perceives
Its glossy leaves
Ordered by an Intelligence so wise
As might confound the Atheist's sophistries.

Those holies of themselves a shape
As of an arbor took.

Those holies of themselves a shape
As of an arbor took.

All green was vanished save of pine and yew,
That still displayed their melancholy hue;
Save the read more

All green was vanished save of pine and yew,
That still displayed their melancholy hue;
Save the green holly with its berries red,
And the green moss that o'er the gravel spread.

Green, slender, leaf-clad holly boughs
Were twisted gracefu' round her brows,
I took her for some Scottish read more

Green, slender, leaf-clad holly boughs
Were twisted gracefu' round her brows,
I took her for some Scottish Muse,
By that same token,
An' come to stop those reckless vows,
Would soon be broken.