Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.
Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron 180992The Flower
TennysonO
I cast to earth a seed.
Up there came a flower,
The people said, a weed.
Thro’ my garden-bower,
And muttering discontent
Cur’d me and my flower.
It wore a crown of light,
But thieves from o’er the wall
Stole the seed by night.
By every town and tower,
Till all the people cried,
“Splendid is the flower.”
He that runs may read.
Most can raise the flowers now,
For all have got the seed.
And some are poor indeed;
And now again the people
Call it but a weed.