To Blossoms
Fair pledges of a fruitful tree,1
Why do ye fall so fast ?2
Your date is not so past,3
But you may stay yet here awhile4
To blush and gently smile,5
And go at last6
What, were ye born to be7
An hour or half’s delight8
And so to bid good night ?9
’Twas pity nature brought ye forth10
Merely to show your worth11
And lose you quite.12
But you are lovely leaves, where we13
May read how soon things have14
Their end, though ne’er so brave15
And after they have shown their pride16
Like you, awhile, they glide17
Into the grave.18