Is the fierce ruin of the Vandal axe.
"Frosty but kindly" is chill Winter's touch
Upon our trees, as on old Adam's head;
But when the Jerry Builder lays his clutch
On trees, he leaves them but deformed—or dead!
Ruined by jobbing gardeners' ruthless ravages,
Hideous as Doré's cripples, trolls or gnomes.
Will no one save from these tree-slaughtering savages
The bowery charms of our suburban homes?