It came with spring's soft sun and showers,

Mid bursting buds and blushing flowers;

It flourished on the same light stem,

It drank the same clear dews with them.

The crimson tints of summer morn

That gilded one, did each adorn:

The breeze that whispered light and brief

To bud or blossom, kissed the leaf;

When o'er the leaf the tempest flew,

The bud and blossom trembled too.

But its companions passed away,

And left the leaf to lone decay.

The gentle gales of spring went by:

The fruits and flowers of summer die.

The autumn winds swept o'er the hill,

And winter's breath came cold and chill.

The leaf now yielded to the blast,

And on the rushing stream was cast.

Far, far it glided to the sea,

And whirled and eddied wearily,Read More