| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| Robert Herrick. 1591–1674 |
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| 253. To Blossoms |
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| 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. | |
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| 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. | |
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| 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. | |
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