Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Robert Herrick. 15911674253. To Blossoms
FAIR pledges of a fruitful tree, | |
Why do ye fall so fast? | |
Your date is not so past | |
But you may stay yet here awhile | |
To blush and gently smile, | 5 |
And go at last. | |
What! were ye born to be | |
An hour or half’s delight, | |
And so to bid good night? | |
‘Twas pity Nature brought you forth | 10 |
Merely to show your worth | |
And lose you quite. | |
But you are lovely leaves, where we | |
May read how soon things have | |
Their end, though ne’er so brave: | 15 |
And after they have shown their pride | |
Like you awhile, they glide | |
Into the grave. |