The fallen Elm (2)

Old favourite tree, thoust seen times changes lower

But change till now did never come to thee;

For time beheld thee as his sacred dower

And nature claimed thee her domestic tree.

Storms came and shook thee with a living power

Yet stedfast to thy home thy roots hath been;

Summers of thirst parched round thy homely bower

Till earth grew iron — still thy leaves was green.

The childern sought thee in thy summer shade

And made their play house rings of sticks and stone

The mavis sang and felt himself alone

While in they leaves his early nest was made,

And I did feel his happiness mine own

Nought heeding that our friendship was betrayed

(lines 15-28)