TO BLOSSOMS.
by Robert Herrick


FAIR pledges of a fruitful tree,
      Why do ye fall so fast ?
      Your date is not so past
But you may stay yet here a while,
      To blush and gently smile ;
            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 ye forth
      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 :
And after they have shown their pride
      Like you a while, they glide
            Into the grave.


Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 220-221.
Backto Works of Robert Herrick

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