Idyl of the Christmas Pine

              [corresponds to page 1 of Edith Thomas Poem, "Idyl of the Christmas Pine"] 
Dedicated to [carrot mark] the [above carrot mark] Pansy and White Lily 
The Idyl of the Christmas Pine 
The wind went singing through the wood. 
Through the lonesome wood at Christmas time 
Whispering to the maple and oak and lime 
All of good cheer and comfort it could. 
He reached the knoll where the pine tree stood. 
Gloomy and grand, and tall and dark. 
"Listen Oh Pine," he said, "and hark oh hark" 
"I know the secret that toucheth thee. 
[word crossed out]	Listen, and hark, oh hark 
Thour’t to be Christmas Tree Christmas Tree 
[illustration on right side of page] 
I’m off, but I’ll come again, Lady Pine 
When you wear your Christmas fruitage fine. 
When lass and lad dance under the mistletoe 
Me, [underlined] thou shalt by my whistle know. 
Away sped the wind to Cathay or to Ind 
The pine stood gloomy and tall and proud 
As a strong man bows to fate, the pine tree bowed 
Then talked with itself (never branch stirred) 
And I who was near by, heard---- 
And what I repeat is word for word.--- 
"That I’m to be Christmas Tree, Christmas Tree. 
Should that be cause for mourning to me? 
I shall go down to the haunts of men and see. 
What this life and these loves of theirs may be. 
And I know if their hearts are right loyal 
To Yule-tide, they’ll own I’m the most royal