George Darley

Lenimina Laborum. 10. Fair as the flower is, it will yet decay

Written in a Leafless Bower 
at Hon. Mrs. Westenra's, December, 1826.

Fair as the flower is, it will yet decay;
Green as the leaf is, it will yet be sere;
Night has a pall to wind the gaudiest day,
And Winter wraps in shrouds the loveliest year:
For those the gale mom-ns in loud accents drear,
The blooms that gave it sweeter breath are gone;
Heaven's glistening eyes with many a silent tear
Beweep the nightly burial of the sun;
Nature herself the lifeless year deplores,
Sad Mother, laying all her children low.
From her deep heartspring grief's wild torrent pours.
Hill, vale, and desolate woodland speak her woe:
Thou too must fade like year—day—leaf—and bloom,
Pale moralist!—wilt have like mourners at thy tomb?