Earth never saw a tree more monstrous made -- Purple leaves dropsical and oozing blood, Thorned with a snarl of steel, and as for shade, A fetid smoke outpoured. A warty stem in tumid branches split, Nest of a carrion bird befouled with filth, The tree a-groan, and rotting under it A sodden meadow's tilth. Yet still, ah, still, forth from the reeking bough, Lo! a white blossom, pure as God above, Lily of freedom; and beside it now The rose of country-love. |