The Works of Tennyson The Eversley Edition: Annotated by Alfred, Lord Tennyson: Edited by Hallam, Lord Tennyson |
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THE FLOWER. |
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| VII. |
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 | The Works of Tennyson |  |
271
THE FLOWER.
This does not refer to my poetry. It was written as a universal apologue, and the people do not as yet call my flower a weed.
Once in a golden hour
I cast to earth a seed.
Up there came a flower,
The people said, a weed.
I cast to earth a seed.
Up there came a flower,
The people said, a weed.
To and fro they went
Thro' my garden-bower,
And muttering discontent
Cursed me and my flower.
Thro' my garden-bower,
And muttering discontent
Cursed me and my flower.
Then it grew so tall
It wore a crown of light,
But thieves from o'er the wall
Stole the seed by night.
It wore a crown of light,
But thieves from o'er the wall
Stole the seed by night.
Sow'd it far and wide
By every town and tower,
Till all the people cried,
‘Splendid is the flower.’
By every town and tower,
Till all the people cried,
‘Splendid is the flower.’
272
Read my little fable:
He that runs may read.
Most can raise the flowers now,
For all have got the seed.
He that runs may read.
Most can raise the flowers now,
For all have got the seed.
And some are pretty enough,
And some are poor indeed;
And now again the people
Call it but a weed.
And some are poor indeed;
And now again the people
Call it but a weed.
| The Works of Tennyson | |