Richard Wilton (1827–1903)

I LEARNT a lesson from the flowers to-day:—

As o’er the fading hawthorn-blooms I sighed,

Whose petals fair lay scattered far and wide,

Lo, suddenly upon a dancing spray

I saw the first wild roses clustered gay.

What though the smile I loved, so soon had died

From one sweet flower—there, shining at its side

The blushing Rose surpassed the snowy May.

So, if as life glides on, we miss some flowers

Which once shed light and fragrance on our way

Yet still the kindly-compensating hours

Weave us fresh wreaths in beautiful array;

And long as in the paths of peace we stay,

Successive benedictions shall be ours!