6. AUTUMN BUDS. "The children crying in the Temple, Hosanna to the Son of David." How fast these autumn leaves decay !— And many a bud thine eye will meet The showers and gleams of spring. Such buds of hope are Advent hours: Soft carols faintly ring. So when our Lord in meekness rode Touched by the frost-wind's wing. Yet lurk'd there tender gems beneath, Ere long to bloom in glorious wreath. His little ones came chanting round Hosanna to their King. 7. THE OAK. "What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind ?" COME take a woodland walk with me, And mark the rugged old Oak Tree, Where from the bank the fresh rill springs, And points the waters' silent way Down the wild maze of reed and spray. There stands he, in each time and tide, He holds his root in faith and power, Mark'st thou in him no token true Of heaven's own Priests, both old and new? In penitential garb austere Fix'd in the wild, from year to year 8. THE PALM. "Palma virens semper manet conservatione et diuturnitate, non im mutatione foliorum."-St. Ambrose, Hexaemeron, iii. 71. WHY of all the woodland treasure, Holy Palm, art thou preferred, When the voice of praise is heard, When we tread our thankful measure? Why before our Saviour borne ? Why by glorious Spirits worn? Is it for thy verdure, brightest |