Katherine Philips (1631-1664)
Upon the [en]graving of her Name Upon a Tree in Barn Elms Walk
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ALAS, how barbarous are we,
Thus to reward the courteous Tree,
Who its broad shade affording us,
Deserves not to be wounded thus!
See how the yielding bark complies
With our ungrateful injuries!
And seeing this, say how much then
Trees are more generous then men,
Who by a nobleness so pure,
Can first oblige, and then endure.