The Ivy-Wife

    And be as high as he：

    I stretched an arm within his reach，

    And signalled unity³.

    But with his drip he forced a breach⁴，

    And tried to poison me.

    I gave the grasp of partnership⁵

    To one of other race——

    A plane： he barked him strip by strip

    From upper bough¹ to base；

    And me therewith； for gone my grip，

    My arms could not enlace.

    In new affection next I strove

    To coll an ash I saw，

    And he in trust received my love；

    Till with my soft green claw

    I cramped⁶ and bound him as I wove……

    Such was my love： ha-ha！

    By this I gained his strength and height

    Without his rivalry⁷.

    But in my triumph I lost sight

    Of afterhaps. Soon he，

    Being bark-bound， flagged， snapped， fell outright⁸，

    And in his fall felled me！