APPLE BLOSSOMS WILLIAM WESLEY MARTIN William Wesley Martin is not a well-known author, but his "Apple Blossoms' presents a picture of such rare beauty and charm that his name will long be remembered in literature. 1 Have you seen an apple orchard in the spring? In the spring? Have you plucked the apple blossoms in the spring? And caught their subtle odors in the spring? Pink buds bursting at the light, Crumpled petals baby-white, Just to touch them a delight! In the spring! 3 Have you walked beneath the blossoms in the spring? Beneath the apple blossoms in the spring? When the pink cascades were falling, And the silver brooklets brawling, And the cuckoo bird is calling In the spring? 4 Have you seen a merry bridal in the spring? In an English apple country in the spring? Apple blossoms in their hair; Apple blossoms everywhere, 5 If you have not, then you know not, in the spring, Half the color, beauty, wonder of the spring. Half so precious, half so tender, As the apple blossoms render HELPS TO STUDY What is the glory of the apple tree? What is the wealth of the apple tree in spring? What is the meaning of "hoary" as used in the first stanza? How are cascades formed? What is a brooklet? What made it look like silver? What is meant by the "brawling" of the brooklet? How often are the words "In In what lines are they used? the second stanza? In the Find three lines in each stanza which rhyme. What makes this poem so pleasant to read aloud? George Lansing Taylor (1835- ) was born at Skaneateles. New York. He graduated from Columbia University. He became a Metho dist Episcopal minister and was a well-known lecturer and author. 1 Dare to do right! Dare to be true! You have a work that no other can do; Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well, Angels will hasten the story to tell. 2 Dare to do right! Dare to be true! Other men's failures can never save you; Stand by your conscience, your honor, your faith; |