European Elegies/Winter/A churchyard-flower
53.A CHURCHYARD-FLOWER
The winter, with its wilting will,
Brings blossom-birth to bareness;
Sometimes its frosts, unpitying, kill
The flower's unfolding fairness;
Brings blossom-birth to bareness;
Sometimes its frosts, unpitying, kill
The flower's unfolding fairness;
And, as the living gems rejoice
In fragrant gratulation,
Sudden breaks in the blighting voice
Of icy death's afflation.
In fragrant gratulation,
Sudden breaks in the blighting voice
Of icy death's afflation.
With spring, rare buds will re-appear,
And earth renew her dower:
But, ah, I weep for you, my dear,
My pale, young churchyard-flower!
And earth renew her dower:
But, ah, I weep for you, my dear,
My pale, young churchyard-flower!
From the Frisian of Pieter Jelles Troelstra.