Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-06
miscellaneous.
I he angel ofthe Leaves.
ny MISS HANNAH +. GOULD

'Alas alas p said the sorrowing Tree,
my beautiful robe is gone it has been torn
from me Its faded pieces whir upon the
wino they rustic beneath the squirrels
foot as he searches for his nut they float
upon the passing stream and ON The quiyer-
ing lake. Woe ls nc for my dear, green
verdure is gone. 1t was the gift of the An
gel Of Leaves have lost it, and my glo-
ny is vanlshed my beauty has disappeared
my summer honors have passed away. My
bright aud comely garment, alas it is rent
into thousand parts. Who will weave me
such anothe!? Piece by piece has been
stripped from me. Scarcely did | sigh for
the loss of one, ere another wandered off on
air. Tue sweet sound of music cheers me
no more. The birds that sang in my bos-
ON were dismayed at my desolation-they
nave flown away with their songs.
stood in my pride. The sun brighten
ed my robe with his smile; the zephyrs
breathed softly through its glossy folds the
clouds strewed pearls among them. NV
shadow was wide upon the earth; my head
was lifted high, aud my forehead was fair to
the heavens. But now how changed Sad
ness sits upon them my head is shorn my
arms are stripped cannot throw shadow
on the ground. Beauty has departed;
gladness is gone out of my bosom. The
blood has retired from my heart aud sunk
into the earth. l am thirsty. | am cold.
My naked limbs shver in the chilly air;
the keen blast comes pttiess among them.
The winter is coming. | am destitute.
Sorrow Is my portion; mourning must wear
me away How shall | account to the An
Al, q
beautiful gift ?
The Angel had been listening. In sooih.
ing accents he answered the lamenation
My beloved tree said he, be comfort
ed! i am by thee still, though every leaf
has forsaken thee The voice of gladness
is -hushed among thy boughs; but let ny
whisper console thee. Thy sorrow is but
for season. Trust in me. Keep my
promise in thy heart. Be patient and full |
of hope. Let the words leave with thee
abide and cheer thee through the coming
winter Then will return and clothe thee
anew.
'The storm will drive rulely over thee
the snow will slit among thy naked limbs.
But these will be light and passing allie
tions. The ice Will weigh heavily on thy
heIpleae arms; butft shall soon dissolve to |
tears. 1t shall pass into the ground and be
drunken by thy roots. Then will it creep
up beneath thy bark, and spread into the
branches it has oppressed, and help to adorn
them. ! shall be here to use III
- Thy blood has now retired for saGety.-
The frost will chill and destroy it. 1t has
-gone into thy mothers bosom for her TO
keep it warm. Earth will not rob her off.
Sba is . Al e.. L..
all the wants of her children, and forgels
not to provide for the least Of them. The
sap that has for while gone down will
make thy roots strike deeper, aud spread
wider; and, renewed and strengthened, it
shall return to noursh thy heart Then, i'll
thou shalt have remembered aud trusted in
my promise, ! will fulfil ii. Buds shall
shout forth on every bough. will unfold
another robe for thee. ! will color and fit
IL in every part. 1t shall be comely raj
ment Thou shalt forget thy present sur-
row. Sadness shall be swallowed up of ioy. |
Now, my beloved Tree, fare thee well for
season y
The Angel was gone. The cold muter-
ing winter drew near. The wild blast
whlsled for the storm. The storm came,
and howled round the Tree. But the word
OF the Angel was hidden in her heart. 1t
soothed her annd the threatenngs Of the
tempest. The ice cakes ratified on her
limbs, and loaded and weighed them down.
My slender branches said she, let not
this burden overcome you Break not be-
meath this heavy aflliclon- break not but
bend TIL you can spring back to your places. |
Let not twig OF you be lost Hope must
prop YOU up for a while and the Anpe, will