European Elegies/Autumn (1)/The withered leaf
11.THE WITHERED LEAF
The sere leaf from the bough to-day
Drops swiftly to the autumn clay,
And moves the meditative mind
To mark a moral for mankind.
Drops swiftly to the autumn clay,
And moves the meditative mind
To mark a moral for mankind.
For once she laughed with emerald thrill
To watch the dawn dream up the hill;
Or minuetted in the breeze
Mid countless leafy companies.
To watch the dawn dream up the hill;
Or minuetted in the breeze
Mid countless leafy companies.
But now the dew too heavy clings
Upon her faded flutterings
In this chill air whose flagging breath
Bears her companions to their death.
Upon her faded flutterings
In this chill air whose flagging breath
Bears her companions to their death.
No more may suns bring warm delight,
Nor glad moons solace her at night,
Nor can the gentle breezes bring
Once more the tender strength of spring.
Nor glad moons solace her at night,
Nor can the gentle breezes bring
Once more the tender strength of spring.
She lived but to express in grace
One happy smile in nature's face,
Until October cried "Destroy!"
And slew her beauty and her joy.
One happy smile in nature's face,
Until October cried "Destroy!"
And slew her beauty and her joy.
From the Welsh of "Alun".