With supple boughs and new-born leaflets crowned, br Rejoicing in fresh verdure stands the tree, br Though weather-scarred and scooped by fire may be br Its ancient trunk. So may our lives be found br (God leaving still our roots within His ground.) br Where gaps of loss and waste show brokenly br May each new year that comes to greet us see br Branches, and foliage, and flowers abound. br Where Fortune, spoiling wayfarer, hath left br Unsightly rents, may garlands spring apace. br And if, perchance, some pitiless wind hath reft br Away what newer green shall ne'er replace, br May heaven-light come the closer for the cleft br O'er which no tender fronds shall interlace.