| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| Henry King, Bishop of Chichester. 1592–1669 |
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| 278. A Contemplation upon Flowers |
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| 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. | |
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| 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! | |
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| 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. | |
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