To Blossoms

　　by Robert Herrick

　　 Fair pledges of a fruitful tree，

　　 Why do ye fall so fast？

　　 Your date is not so past，

　　 But you may stay yet here awhile

　　 To blush and gently smile，

　　 And go at last.

　　 What， were ye born to be

　　 An hour or half's delight，

　　 And so to bid good-night？

　　 'Twas pity Nature brought ye forth

　　 Merely to show your worth，

　　 And lose you quite.

　　 But you are lovely leaves， where we

　　 May read how soon things have

　　 Their end， though ne'er so brave：

　　 And after they have shown their pride

　　 Like you， awhile， they glide