Francis Turner Palgrave

A Song of Spring and Autumn

IN the season of white wild roses
We two went hand in hand:
But now in the ruddy autumn
Together already we stand.

O pale pearl-necklace that wandered
O'er the white-thorn's tangled head!
The white-thorn is turned to russet,
The pearls to purple and red!

On the topmost orchard branches
It then was crimson and snow,
Where now the gold-red apples
Burn on the turf below.

And between the trees the children
In and out run hand in hand;
And, with smiles that answer their smiling,
We two together stand.