Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume V. Nature. 1904. | | | | V. Trees: Flowers: Plants | | The Life of Flowers | | Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) |
| | | WHEN hath wind or rain | |
| Borne hard upon weak plant that wanted me, | |
| And I (however they might bluster round) | |
| Walkt off? ’T were most ungrateful; for sweet scents | |
| Are the swift vehicles of still sweeter thoughts, | 5 |
| And nurse and pillow the dull memory | |
| That would let drop without them her best stores. | |
| They bring me tales of youth and tones of love, | |
| And ’t is and ever was my wish and way | |
| To let all flowers live freely, and all die | 10 |
| (Whene’er their Genius bids their souls depart) | |
| Among their kindred in their native place. | |
| I never pluck the rose; the violet’s head | |
| Hath shaken with my breath upon its bank | |
| And not reproacht me; the ever-sacred cup | 15 |
| Of the pure lily hath between my hands | |
| Felt safe, unsoiled, nor lost one grain of gold. | | | | |
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