A POISON TREE

A POISON TREE



I was angry with my friend:

I told my wrath, my wrath
did end.

I was angry with my foe:

I told it not, my wrath did
grow.



And I watered it in fears

Night and morning with my
tears,

And I sunned it with smiles

And with soft deceitful
wiles.



And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple
bright,

And my foe beheld it shine,

and he knew that it was mine,
--



And into my garden stole

When the night had veiled the pole;

In
the morning, glad, I see

My foe outstretched beneath the tree.