Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Henry King, Bishop of Chichester. 15921669278. A Contemplation upon Flowers
BRAVE flowers—that I could gallant it like you, | |
And be as little vain! | |
You come abroad, and make a harmless show, | |
And to your beds of earth again. | |
You are not proud: you know your birth: | 5 |
For your embroider’d garments are from earth. | |
You do obey your months and times, but I | |
Would have it ever Spring: | |
My fate would know no Winter, never die, | |
Nor think of such a thing. | 10 |
O that I could my bed of earth but view | |
And smile, and look as cheerfully as you! | |
O teach me to see Death and not to fear, | |
But rather to take truce! | |
How often have I seen you at a bier, | 15 |
And there look fresh and spruce! | |
You fragrant flowers! then teach me, that my breath | |
Like yours may sweeten and perfume my death. |