THOU meekest emblem of the infant year, <br />Why droops so cold and wan thy fragrant head ? <br />Ah ! why retiring to thy frozen bed, <br />Steals from thy silky leaves the trembling tear ? <br /> <br />Day's op'ning eye shall warm thy gentle breast, <br />Revive thy timid charms and sickly hue; <br />Thy drooping buds shall drink the morning dew, <br />And bloom again by glowing PHOEBUS drest; <br /> <br />Or should the midnight damp, with icy breath, <br />Nip thy pale check, and bow thee to the ground, <br />Or the bleak winds thy blossoms scatter round, <br />And all thy modest beauties fade to death; <br />E'en in decay thy spotless sweets shall rise, <br />And midst AURORA'S TEARS evap'rate IN THE SKIES.<br /><br />Mary Darby Robinson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sonnet-the-snow-drop/
