MAY AND DEATH. 1. I WISH that when you died last May, Charles, there had died along with you. Three parts of spring's delightful things ; Ay, and, for me, the fourth part too. 2. A foolish thought, and worse, perhaps ! There must be many a pair of friends Who, arm in arm, deserve the warm Moon-births and the long evening-ends. 3. So, for their sakes, be May still May! Let their new time, as mine of old, Do all it did for me: I bid Sweet sights and sounds throng manifold. 4. Only, one little sight, one plant, Woods have in May, that starts up green Save a sole streak which, so to speak, Is spring's blood, spilt its leaves between, 5. That, they might spare; a certain wood Might miss the plant; their loss were small: But I, whene'er the leaf grows there, Its drop comes from my heart, that's all. |