Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-06-21
dtlistelIaneous Artitlrs,.
The Oak and the Willow.
AN ALLEGORY.
BY FANNY GREEN.

BY FANNY GREEN.
A STORM was abroad. The lightning glea-
med fearfully, and the cry of the thunder
was very loud. The clouds were gathering
in the east like heavy dark drapery; but
in the west they were piled together like
huge black mountains and the vivid flashes
went momently searching through their
chasms, revealing scenes of picturesque but
awful grandeur. The whirlwind was awake.
Earth heard his wild clarion, andshook fear
fully and the waters, when they knew his
voice, were troubled. The birds we're fleeing
through the air gith strong unnatural cries;
and every anim hue to ats instincs, was
seeking shelter.
A majestic OAK, strong in the maturity of
years without number, stood upon the hill
side, looking forth on the storm with an eye
of scorn. HaveI not said he. shaken off
with my strong arm the thunderbolts of cen
turies standingI erect and uninlured amid
the shivering lightnings of untold ages p
Have not battled with the strong hail, and
taken the mighty hurricane by the beard
Behold, am not the strongest of all things;
and can the power of the Eternal, himself,
harm NE ? The storm is but recreation
a scene for my amusement and the thunder,
and lightning, and hail, what are they, but
play things-toys-sen to give me pastime?
What are all these to creature strong as
the unconquered oak? The tempest itself is
but healthy exercise and, even now, feel
the vital current rushing with unwonted en-
ergy through all my veins The storm that
crushes meaner things, is sent but to give
me health and strength
Then the oak drew closer his thick mantle
of leaves, lifting up his majestic head, and
stretching forth his strong arms that were
hon 70 fho Of fho tam lu
as if it were his own wi that moved them,
and not an exterior force AS he looked forth
he beheld a willow shrinking fearfully from
the storm. Her branches were all PROSTATE,
every leafet seemed quivering with anguish !;
and her meek head was bent low, as if to de-
precate the wrath of the elements.
Poor fragile thing said the oak, Alas |!
how pity thee Thy tender heart will be
torn asunder! Why didst thou not prepare
for the storm, and grow large, and strong
= like me !!
Then a voice answered, whose sweetness
mingled strangely with the shrieking cry of
: the whirlwind, and all the crush Of the tenn
: pest. Not even in this extremity does the
soul that ever trusteth in the Unseen entire.
q ly lose its strength. Bitter, very bitter is
our anguish, when the heart is wrung to Its
> minutest fibre but our Father knoweth what
is best and the bruised limbs he will lift up
: and straightforward the wounded heart he
i will heal again for he afAicteth US in mercy
e and chasteneth in love; so shall the voice OF
, my bitterest sorrow utter praise
q u''Is. - - 49, ~
). the willow dropped her head, and was silent
:, and the storm seemed to pause moment, al
u u if in reverence /; for a gentle word will some
times subdue the strongest and submission
e will disarm the most inveterate foe.
; But the oak scofed Poor fool 2 said he
d are not all thy branches PROSTATE? Is no
d thy head bent low to the ground, and ma,
% not the next moment cause thy death? Thel
! curse him who hath so cruelty smitten thee
Curse him who breaketh down the willow
q but who shall crush the oak?' And agail
le he drew back his naughty head, and tosse'
i'll abroad his strong arms, as if defying th
n bolts of heaven.
10 The liquid fire was concentrating in on
of fearful mass; and downtown it rolled
- along the sides of the blackest mountai
y = cloud, and it clave the oak and his stubbor
OF heart was rent in twain. His beautiful gal
= ments were shivered to fragments and hi
lis pride was levelled with the dust.
as The violence of the storm went by. Th
is sun broke forth, and the rainbow was pictul
40 ed on the retiring clouds. The birds cam
" out from their shelter, and fitting gail
OF abroad, sang sweet songs of joy. Ever
ne creature was glad. A delicious perfum
1g filled the air, and the green leaves glistene
lie through the sunny rain-drops, like emerald
nd set in the purest pearls of the Orient
er Beautifully said the angel of the trees,
No he went forth to bless his children. The
~ ~ the willow heard, and knew his voice; ar
ID, lifting her dropping head, smiled throue
nd her many tears. Blessed art thou, n
Ter daug ghter = said the angel as richer bea
be of Ii ght fell upon her silvery leaves Bile
10 sed art thou forever for in the trying hou
20 the unsailing strength of the Eternal sha
1Sn sustain thee, and thy heart, ever trusting
~ the mercy of its Father, shall find even
&c Affections ministers of good. But beho
ale the end of the proud-the ruin of him th,
md mocketh.'