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XXXII. Mine Host of the "Golden Apple"
A kindly host 1 one day was mine,
A Golden Apple his only sign,
That hung from a long branch, ripe and fine.
My host was the beautiful Apple-tree;
He gave me shelter and nourished
2 me
With the best of food, all fresh and free.
And light-winged 3 guests 1 came not a few,
To his leafy 4 inn,
and sipped the dew,
And sang glad songs before they flew.
I slept at night on a nice soft bed
Of moss,5 and my host so gently spread
His own cool shadow over
my head.
When I asked how much to pay there might be,
He shook his great
boughs merrily :
A thousand thanks, green Apple-tree !
THOMAS WESTWOOD.
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1 I visited him. He was my host (or: mine host), I was hisguest.
2 Gave me something to eat. 'With light wings, flying easily.
4 With many leaves. 5 A very small plant that, grows on rocks,
under trees, etc.