A CHILD through sunny meadows strolled, And plucked the blossoms there; A lady from the forest came— A lady wondrous fair. She wove a garland for the child, And twined it on her brow; "O wear it ever, it will bloom, Although it blooms not now." Years fled, and when the maiden walked Sadly, the moon beneath, Weeping her earliest tears, there came A blossom on the wreath. And when within her lover's arms A happy bride she stood, How sweet and precious was the flower That burst the opening bud! Soon with a mother's fearful joy, She clasped a gentle child, And through the garland's leafy sheen Much golden fruit there smiled. Alas! her love went sadly down, Lost in the cold, dark grave; Now wild in her dishevelled hair The leaves of autumn wave. She died—yet still, on her pale brow, The faithful garland wore, When, wonderful to see, behold, Both fruit and flowers it bore! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RETURN OF THE NATIVE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN DEEDS UNDONE by GAMALIEL BRADFORD THE LIFE BEYOND by RUPERT BROOKE THE NEW MOON by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT TO THE MOST PRINCELY AND VERTUOUS THE LADY ELIZABETH by THOMAS CAMPION THE CANTERBURY TALES: THE COOK'S PROLOGUE by GEOFFREY CHAUCER |