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Flora's Lexicon/Aspen Tree

From Wikisource
4409900Flora's Lexicon — Aspen TreeCatharine Harbeson Waterman

ASPEN TREE. Populus Tremulus. Class 12, Diœcia. Order: Potyandria. Popular tradition states that the cross was made from this tree, and that since the Passion of our Saviour, the leaves have never known rest. The vibratory motion of the leaves is indeed curious, and never fails to attract the attention of the observer. It arises from the length and slenderness of the rootstalks to which they are attached.

EXCESSIVE SENSIBILITY.

Why tremble so, broad aspen tree?
Why shake thy leaves ne’er ceasing?
At rest thou never seem’st to be,
For when the air is still and clear,
Or when the nipping gale increasing,
Shakes from thy boughs soft twilight’s tear,
Thou tremblest still, broad aspen tree,
And never tranquil seem’st to be.

Anon.

Our sensibilities are so acute,
The fear of being silent makes us mute.

Cowper.

The soul of music slumbers in the shell,
Till waked and kindled, by the master’s spell;
And feeling hearts—touch them but lightly—pour
A thousand melodies unheard before!

Rogers.

Oh! life is a waste of wearisome hours,
Which seldom the rose of enjoyment adorns;
And the heart that is soonest awake to the flowers,
Is always the first to be touch’d by the thorns.

Moore.