Tree of Good Fruit

Verse 1

When all the virtues of the wood, Impartially we trace; The apple tree, as rare, and good, First claims the highest place: Beauteous, and rare, it stands admir'd, Amongst a thousand trees; Its fragrance, fruit, and shade desir'd, To quicken, feed, and please.

Verse 2

Just so, excelling heav'n and earth, Is my beloved seen Amongst the sons of royal birth, The sons of God or men: Above them all he stands alone, Pre-eminent and rare; The Father's first begotten Son, None may with him compare.

Verse 3

He as the man of God's right hand, Is all perfection seen; Whilst angels charg'd with folly stand, And heav'n's declar'd unclean. When blasted ev'ry tree beside, Still he affords a shade; A safe asylum for his bride, Which love eternal made.

Verse 4

His fragrant name our hearts shall cheer, As ointments poured forth; More than the names which angels bear Or men of highest worth. Unsav'ry all the sons we prove, Their worth no more can see; The fragrance of eternal love Comes forth, dear Lamb, from thee.

Verse 5

Thy fruits, thy wisdom, love and pow'r, Are pefect evermore; Whilst all beside are green and sour, Or rotten at the core. Live thou, of all the sons admir'd, The only just and good; As stands the apple tree desir'd, In the unfruitful wood.