George Darley

Lenimina Laborum. 42. On a Young Tree

Growing Near a Tomb, 1812.

Tree! Tree! Tree! little Tree!
Growing as thou dost grow,
Thou shalt be high as the tomb
When I shall be just as low!
While I am returning to earth,
Earth will be turning to thee;
Of the very same earth I am
Thy beautiful growth may be!
And so, neither mistress nor friend need I crave.
But shade my own relics, and show my own grave.