Classic Poem

Of all the many leaves that change
Their color in the fall,
The scarlet of the maple
Is fairest of them all.

The gold of beech and chestnut
Looks commonplace and dull
When placed beside the maple, — though
Alone they're beautiful.

E'en the beauty of the oak's leaves,
By the maples' seem to pale,
Like a weed before the beauty
Of a " lily of the vale. "

O, splendid, gaudy maple leaves!
When fields are bare and brown,
The hazy days of Autumn with
A scarlet wreath you crown.