When branch and bough are all laden with gems
Bright as those that deck Eastern diadems;
And the sun sheds a blaze of dazzling light
On ruby and opal and diamond bright.

Only tarry till Spring on Canadian shore,
And you'll rail at our Tenters, then, no more;
New health and fresh life through your veins shall glow,
Spite of piercing winds--spite of ice and snow,
And I'd venture to promise, in truth, my friend,
'Twill not be the last that with us you'll spend.




THE MAPLE TREE.


Well have Canadians chosen thee
As the emblem of their land,
Thou noble, spreading maple tree,
Lord of the forest grand;
Through all the changes Time has made,
Thy woods so deep and hoar
Have given their homesteads pleasant shade,
And beauty to their shore.

Say, what can match in splendor rare
Thy foliage, brightly green,
Thy leaves that wave in summer's air,