THE CROWNS

Cherry and pear are white,

Their snows lie sprinkled on the land like light

On darkness shed.

Far off and near

The orchards toss their crowns of delight,

And the sun casts down

Another shining crown.

The wind tears and throws down

Petal by petal the crown

Of cherry and pear till the earth is white,

And all the brightness is shed

In the orchards far off and near,

That tossed by the road and under the green hill;

And the wind is fled.

Far, far off the wind

Has shaken down

A brightness that was as the brightness of cherry or pear

When the orchards shine in the sun.

— Oh there is no more fairness

Since this rareness,

The radiant blossom of English earth — is dead!