Fair pledges of a fruitful tree, <br />Why do ye fall so fast? <br />Your date is not so past, <br />But you may stay yet here a-while, <br />To blush and gently smile; <br />And go at last. <br /> <br />What, were ye born to be <br />An hour or half's delight; <br />And so to bid good-night? <br />'Twas pity Nature brought ye forth, <br />Merely to show your worth, <br />And lose you quite. <br /> <br />But you are lovely leaves, where we <br />May read how soon things have <br />Their end, though ne'er so brave: <br />And after they have shown their pride, <br />Like you, a-while;--they glide <br />Into the grave.<br /><br />Robert Herrick<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-blossoms/
