Woodman, Spare that Tree!

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <p id="id00193" style="margin-top: 5em">Woodman, Spare that Tree! </p> <p id="id00194" style="margin-top: 4em">Woodman, spare that tree!<br/> Touch not a single bough!<br/> In youth it sheltered me,<br/> And I'll protect it now.<br/> 'Twas my forefather's hand<br/> That placed it near his cot;<br/> There, woodman, let it stand,<br/> Thy axe shall harm it not.<br/></p> <p id="id00195">That old familiar tree,<br/> Whose glory and renown<br/> Are spread o'er land and sea—<br/> And wouldst thou hew it down?<br/> Woodman, forebear thy stroke!<br/> Cut not its earth-bound ties;<br/> Oh, spare that aged oak,<br/> Now towering to the skies!<br/></p> <p id="id00196">When but an idle boy,<br/> I sought its grateful shade;<br/> In all their gushing joy<br/> Here, too, my sisters played.<br/> My mother kissed me here;<br/> My father pressed my hand—<br/> Forgive this foolish tear,<br/> But let that old oak stand.<br/></p> <p id="id00197">My heart-strings round thee cling,<br/> Close as thy bark, old friend!<br/> Here shall the wild-bird sing,<br/> And still thy branches bend.<br/> Old tree! the storm still brave!<br/> And, woodman, leave the spot;<br/> While I've a hand to save,<br/> thy axe shall harm it not.<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />