A little girl through field and wood <br />Went plucking flowerets here and there, <br />When suddenly beside her stood <br />A lady wondrous fair! <br /> <br />The lovely lady smiled, and laid <br />A wreath upon the maiden's brow; <br />'Wear it, 'twill blossom soon,' she said, <br />'Although 'tis leafless now.' <br /> <br />The little maiden older grew <br />And wandered forth of moonlight eves, <br />And sighed and loved as maids will do; <br />When, lo! her wreath bore leaves. <br /> <br />Then was our maid a wife, and hung <br />Upon a joyful bridegroom's bosom; <br />When from the garland's leaves there sprung <br />Fair store of blossom. <br /> <br />And presently a baby fair <br />Upon her gentle breast she reared; <br />When midst the wreath that bound her hair <br />Rich golden fruit appeared. <br /> <br />But when her love lay cold in death, <br />Sunk in the black and silent tomb, <br />All sere and withered was the wreath <br />That wont so bright to bloom. <br /> <br />Yet still the withered wreath she wore; <br />She wore it at her dying hour; <br />When, to the wondrous garland bore <br />Both leaf, and fruit, and flower!<br /><br />William Makepeace Thackeray<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-chaplet/
