O reader! hast thou ever stood to see br The Holly-tree? br The eye that contemplates it well perceives br Its glossy leaves br Ordered by an Intelligence so wise br As might confound the Atheist's sophistries. br br Below, a circling fence, its leaves are seen, br Wrinkled and keen; br br No grazing cattle, through their prickly round, br Can reach to wound; br But, as they grow where nothing is to fear, br Smooth and unarmed the pointless leaves appear. br br I love to view these things with curious eyes, br And moralize; br And in this wisdom of the Holly-tree br Can emblem see br Wherewith, perchance, to make a pleasant rhyme, - br One which may profit in the after-time. br br Thus, though abroad, perchance, I might appear br Harsh and austere; br To those who on my leisure would intrude, br Reserved and rude; br Gentle at home amid my friends I'd be, br Like the high leaves upon the Holly-tree. br br And should my youth - as youth is apt, I know, - br Some harshness show, br All vain asperities I, day by day, br Would wear away, br Till the smooth temper of my age should be br Like the high leaves upon the Holly-tree. br br And as, when all the summer trees are seen br So bright and green, br The Holly-leaves their fadeless hues display br Less bright than they; br But when the bare and wintry woods we see, br What then so cheerful as the Holly-tree? - br br So, serious should my youth appear among br The thoughtless throng; br So would I seem, amid the young and gay, br More grave than they; br That in my age as cheerful I might be br As the green winter of the Holly-tree.