Walter Raleigh - The flowers do fade, and wanton fields To wayward

The flowers do fade, and wanton fields To wayward winter reckoning yields; A honey tongue, a heart of gall, Is fancy's spring, but sorrow's fall.

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Citations

Raleigh, Walter. "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd." England's Helicon, printed by J. R. for John Flasket, 1600.

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The wind is tossing the lilacs,
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So Spring comes merry towards me here, but earns
No answering smile from me, whose life is twin'd
With the dead boughs that winter still must bind,
And whom today the Spring no more concerns.
Behold, this crocus is a withering flame;
This snowdrop, snow; this apple-blossom's part
To breed the fruit that breeds the serpent's art.
Nay, for these Spring-flowers, turn thy face from them,
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The white cup shrivels round the golden heart.

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Stray birds of summer come to my window to sing and fly away. And yellow leaves of autumn, which have no songs, flutter and fall there with a sigh.

About the Author

Walter Raleigh

Born:
Died: October 29, 1618
Nationality: English
Profession: Explorer

Biography

Sir Walter Raleigh, also spelled Ralegh, was an English statesman, soldier, spy, writer, poet, explorer, and landed gentleman. One of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era, he played a leading part in English colonisation of North America, suppressed rebellion in Ireland, helped defend England during the Spanish Armada and held political positions under Elizabeth I.

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