Page 11 - English Expedition Class 6

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Woodman, Spare That Tree!

George Pope Morris

Our most precious childhood memories are often associated with the natural environment we grow
up in. How painful would it be to witness its ruthless destruction?
The poet’s appeal in this poem conveys the despair he feels at the harm being done to one such old
friend.

1
2
Woodman , spare that tree!
3
Touch not a single bough !
In youth it sheltered me,
And I’ll protect it now.

4
’Twas my forefather’s hand
Th at placed it near his cot;

Th ere, woodman, let it stand,
Th y axe shall harm it not.

1 woodman: someone who fells trees, especially for fuel 4 forefather: a person of whom one is a descendant; an
2 spare: not harm or destroy ancestor
3 bough: branch
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