O Reader! hast thou ever stood to see The Holly-tree? The eye that contemplates it well perceives Its glossy leaves Ordered by an Intelligence so wise As might confound the Atheist's sophistries.

And as, when all the summer trees are seen So bright and green, The Holly leaves a sober hue display Less bright than they, But when the bare and wintry woods we see, What then so cheerful as the Holly-tree?

Green, slender, leaf-clad holly boughs Were twisted gracefu' round her brows, I took her for some Scottish Muse, By that same token, An' come to stop those reckless vows, Would soon be broken.

No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other's worth.

Affliction is not sent in vain, young man, From that good God, who chastens whom he loves.

Three things a wise man will not trust, The wind, the sunshine of an April day, And woman's plighted faith.