Robert Herrick

To Blossoms

FAIR pledges of a fruitful tree,
    Why do ye fall so fast?
    Your date is not so past
But you may stay yet here awhile
    To blush and gently smile,
            And go at last.

What! were ye born to be
    An hour or half's delight,
    And so to bid good night?
'Twas pity Nature brought you forth
    Merely to show your worth
            And lose you quite.

But you are lovely leaves, where we
    May read how soon things have
    Their end, though ne'er so brave:
And after they have shown their pride
    Like you awhile, they glide
            Into the grave.