How closely he twineth, how tight he clings.

To his friend the huge oak tree;

And slyly he traileth along the ground,

And his leaves he gently waves

As he joyously hugs and crawleth around

The rich mould of dead men's graves.

Creeping where no life is seen,

A rare old plant is the ivy green.

Whole ages have fled, and their works decayed,

And nations have scattered been;