Short time ago, and yonder tree
Waved in the light breeze gloriously;
And to the morning sun displayed
Proudly its amplitude of shade.

Say then what storm, what sudden blast, With poisoned breath has o'er it passed, That thus like shrivelled scroll it shows, With withered leaves and drooping boughs?

Each flower sleeps peaceful on its stem,
Each spray the pendent dew-drops gem;
How then could sudden blast or storm
Have ravaged thus its stately form?

It was His word who spake at first
Creation into life: He cursed
That fated tree- the spell of power
It owned, and withered in an hour.

And what provoked the doom severe ?
Its trunk was firm, its boughs were fair;
Its leaves in gold and emeralds shone:
He sought for fruit- but fruit was none.

Ah! who so blind as not to read

A fearful meaning in the deed?
On me, on all, a searching eye
Is bent in awful scrutiny.

What if within these hearts of ours,

For fruit, it sees but leaves or flowers?
Ah! who may tell how long the doom
Shall threaten ere its thunders come !

But never will she sheathe her sword,

While man the worm defies the Lord!

Oh! strong to punish, strong to save!
How long shall we Thy fury brave?
How long? - till Thou thyself embue
Each callous heart with heavenly dew.

Hast Thou not said, in wilds forlorn
The myrtle shall supplant the thorn?
Fulfil Thy promise, then shall we
Yield fruits of holiness to Thee!

THE VINE.

VITIS VINEFERA.

"Turn we a moment Fancy's rapid flight
To vigorous soils, and climes of fair extent,
Where, by the potent sun elated high,
The vineyard swells refulgent on the day;
Spreads o'er the vale, or up the mountain climbs
Profuse; and drinks amid the sunny rocks,
From cliff to cliff increased, the heighten'd blaze.
Low bend the weighty boughs; the clusters clear
Half through the foliage seen, or ardent flame,
Or shine transparent, while perfection breathes
White o'er the turgent film the living dew."

BEAUTIFUL and glowing as is this description of the vine, we may yet truly say it needs not the poet's pencil to enhance its charms; for when left to follow its own elegant fancies, and to twine its tendrils to any prop which offers itself, it does indeed

"Outstrip all praise,

And make it halt behind."