The speaker stands in a tree’s cool shade, feeling a debt of gratitude. Birds repay with song; travelers, after storms, pause to praise; a shepherd plays his reed while his love hangs garlands. This act of noticing all the ways the natural world gives and takes repayment stirs the speaker to offer her own. Not wanting to stay silent, she makes a wish: may the tree live on, untouched by the axe, until its sap fades and strong winds, harmless while it stood, finally topple it with a triumphant roar. Even then, she imagines a noble end—the wind announces its fall, and its wood burns on a bright hearth like a hero’s urn. Her wish is praise, extending the tree’s life and granting its fall a dignified, human grace. The mood is gentle, reverent, and slightly mournful, a quiet blessing that honors the tree’s gifts and the rhythm of giving.
The Tree — Summary
Fair tree! for thy delightful shade 'Tis just that some return be made; Sure some return is due from me To thy cool shadows, and to thee. When thou to birds dost shelter give, Thou music dost from them receive; If travellers beneath thee stay Till storms have worn themselves away, That time in praising thee they spend And thy protecting pow'r commend. The shepherd here, from scorching freed, Tunes to thy dancing leaves his reed; Whilst his lov'd nymph, in thanks, bestows Her flow'ry chaplets on thy boughs. Shall I then only silent be, And no return be made by me? No; let this wish upon thee wait, And still to flourish be thy fate. To future ages may'st thou stand Untouch'd by the rash workman's hand, Till that large stock of sap is spent, Which gives thy summer's ornament; Till the fierce winds, that vainly strive To shock thy greatness whilst alive, Shall on thy lifeless hour attend, Prevent the axe, and grace thy end; Their scatter'd strength together call And to the clouds proclaim thy fall; Who then their ev'ning dews may spare When thou no longer art their care, But shalt, like ancient heroes, burn, And some bright hearth be made thy urn.