And shook them on his lip; I gave my fruit
To streDgthen the faint stranger, and I sang
Soft echoes to the winds, living in nought
For self; but in all things for others' good.
The storm arose, and patiently I bore
And yielded to his tyranny; I bow'd
My tenderest foliage to his angry blast,
And sujffer'd him to tear it without sigh,
And scatter on the waste my all of wealth.
The billowing sands o'erwhelm'd me, yet I stood
Silent beneath them; so they roll'd away.
And rending up my roots, left me a wreck
Upon the wilderness.
" ' Twas thus, my sons,
I dream'd my spirit wander'd, till at length,
As desolate 1 mourn'd my helpless woe,
My guardian angel took me to his heart.
And thus he said: ' Spirit, well tried and true!
Conqueror I have made thee, and prepar'd
For human life; behold! I wave the palm
Of immortality before thine eyes:
'Tis thine; it shall be thine, if thou aright
Acquit thee of the part which yet remains,
And teach what thou hast leam'd.'
