Thorns that prick and boughs that bear,

I stood suddenly astonished—I was gladdened unaware!

From the place I stood in floated

Back the covert dim and close,

And the open ground was coated

Carpet-smooth with grass and moss,

And the blue-bell’s purple presence signed it worthily across.

Here a linden-tree stood brightening

All adown its silver rind;

For as some trees draw the lightning,