The Faded Flower

1. 1Ungrateful he, who pluck'd thee from thy stalk,
2. 2Poor faded flow'ret! on his careless way;
3. 3Inhal'd awhile thy odours on his walk,
4. 4Then onward pass'd and left thee to decay.
5. 5Ah! melancholy emblem! had I seen
6. 6Thy modest beauties dew'd with Evening's gem,
7. 7I had not rudely cropp'd thy parent stem,
8. 8But left thee, blushing, 'mid the enliven'd green
9. 9And now I bend me o'er thy wither'd bloom,
10. 10And drop the tear--as Fancy, at my side,
11. 11Deep-sighing, points the fair frail Abra's tomb--
12. 12'Like thine, sad Flower, was that poor wanderer's pride!
13. 13Oh! lost to Love and Truth, whose selfish joy
14. 14Tasted her vernal sweets, but tasted to destroy!'