The highest reaching branch that leaves the Earth
Is radiant from the tow’ring tall trunk tether;
Whose base is sprawling th’ ancient nurse of birth,
Its roots that dig down deep into the dirt, and weather

The squalling storms, the fiercest gales and freezes,
Have now to buffet anti-fragile barks;
The harshest elements are not but breezes
That bend, but breaking not, conditioned arcs.

And here the arbored majesty declining,
Down deeper to the soiled heart of Hell,
Has built itself foundations bold and well;

And as these antiqued timbers stretch, designing
Its gloried gifts — in Heaven-flourished cell —
The urban hubris hacked it; thus it fell.