The Flower And The Leaf: Or, The Lady In The Arbour.[1] Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A AABCDDEEEFFGHIIJJKK IILLMMNNOOJJJ PPIIIQQRRSSTTUUVVWXU U IIYYYYYYTTYYTTZZIIYY TTYYA2B2OOC2C2YYNRTT LLYYYYD2D2JJE2E2 NNE2F2YYOOYYEG2 YYPPYYH2I2WWRRIIYYYY KKJ2BYYYYZSA2A2YY G2JYYXWXYYC2K2SSYYYY WL2LLYYYYL2L2YYTTT SSYYSSXWF2E2YYYYPPEG 2G2KKYY YYYYEEC2C2 M2L2NNBJ2LLIINNYY KKL2N2YYYYYO2O2OOL2W AA2LLYYYYYYE2E2L2L2Y Y YYYYYYP2P2Q2Q2 YYL2L2I2I2YYYTT YYL2WYYYYR2S2YYYYYT2 T2YYYYT2T2IIYYYYYLLY Y YYYYYYYYYJJM2L2YYYYU 2D2YYYOOP2P2 YYYYYY TTTE2E2YYTTWJYYL2L2Y YYYRIYYIIYYTTG2G2 IINNYYYG2G2G2G2TTDDN NTTG2G2V2W2TTYYSSG2E 2G2G2R2R2TTYYYYR2S2G 2G2YYYYYY YYTTYYTTYYYYG2G2 NNIIYYYY YYG2G2X2X2YYTTTTII E2E2YYYYKKYYIIG2E2Y2 Z2YYIIIE2E2YYYYG2G2I ITTYYYY YYSSDDYYTTYYG2G2A3B3 YYYYIIIYYG2G2G2G2G2G 2 TTTTG2G2 P2P2C3C3YYYTTTTNG2YY D3E3TTYYYTTG2N TTC3C3TTF3F3TTG2G2G2 G2G2IIYYYYYIIE2E2TTS STTYYYYY P2P2E2E2YYIIG2G2D3G3 TT IIIYY P2P2YY

A VISION	A
	-
	-
Now turning from the wintry signs the sun	A
His course exalted through the Ram had run	A
And whirling up the skies his chariot drove	B
Through Taurus and the lightsome realms of love	C
Where Venus from her orb descends in showers	D
To glad the ground and paint the fields with flowers	D
When first the tender blades of grass appear	E
And buds that yet the blast of Eurus fear	E
Stand at the door of life and doubt to clothe the year	E
Till gentle heat and soft repeated rains	F
Make the green blood to dance within their veins	F
Then at their call embolden'd out they come	G
And swell the gems and burst the narrow room	H
Broader and broader yet their blooms display	I
Salute the welcome sun and entertain the day	I
Then from their breathing souls the sweets repair	J
To scent the skies and purge the unwholesome air	J
Joy spreads the heart and with a general song	K
Spring issues out and leads the jolly months along	K
	-
In that sweet season as in bed I lay	I
And sought in sleep to pass the night away	I
I turn'd my weary side but still in vain	L
Though full of youthful health and void of pain	L
Cares I had none to keep me from my rest	M
For love had never enter'd in my breast	M
I wanted nothing fortune could supply	N
Nor did she slumber till that hour deny	N
I wonder'd then but after found it true	O
Much joy had dried away the balmy dew	O
Seas would be pools without the brushing air	J
To curl the waves and sure some little care	J
Should weary nature so to make her want repair	J
	-
When Chanticleer the second watch had sung	P
Scorning the scorner sleep from bed I sprung	P
And dressing by the moon in loose array	I
Pass'd out in open air preventing day	I
And sought a goodly grove as fancy led my way	I
Straight as a line in beauteous order stood	Q
Of oaks unshorn a venerable wood	Q
Fresh was the grass beneath and every tree	R
At distance planted in a due degree	R
Their branching arms in air with equal space	S
Stretch'd to their neighbours with a long embrace	S
And the new leaves on every bough were seen	T
Some ruddy colour'd some of lighter green	T
The painted birds companions of the spring	U
Hopping from spray to spray were heard to sing	U
Both eyes and ears received a like delight	V
Enchanting music and a charming sight	V
On Philomel I fix'd my whole desire	W
And listen'd for the queen of all the quire	X
Fain would I hear her heavenly voice to sing	U
And wanted yet an omen to the spring	U
	-
Attending long in vain I took the way	I
Which through a path but scarcely printed lay	I
In narrow mazes oft it seem'd to meet	Y
And look'd as lightly press'd by fairy feet	Y
Wandering I walk'd alone for still methought	Y
To some strange end so strange a path was wrought	Y
At last it led me where an arbour stood	Y
The sacred receptacle of the wood	Y
This place unmark'd though oft I walk'd the green	T
In all my progress I had never seen	T
And seized at once with wonder and delight	Y
Gazed all around me new to the transporting sight	Y
'Twas bench'd with turf and goodly to be seen	T
The thick young grass arose in fresher green	T
The mound was newly made no sight could pass	Z
Betwixt the nice partitions of the grass	Z
The well united sods so closely lay	I
And all around the shades defended it from day	I
For sycamores with eglantine were spread	Y
A hedge about the sides a covering overhead	Y
And so the fragrant brier was wove between	T
The sycamore and flowers were mixed with green	T
That nature seem'd to vary the delight	Y
And satisfied at once the smell and sight	Y
The master workman of the bower was known	A2
Through fairy lands and built for Oberon	B2
Who twining leaves with such proportion drew	O
They rose by measure and by rule they grew	O
No mortal tongue can half the beauty tell	C2
For none but hands divine could work so well	C2
Both roof and sides were like a parlour made	Y
A soft recess and a cool summer shade	Y
The hedge was set so thick no foreign eye	N
The persons placed within it could espy	R
But all that pass'd without with ease was seen	T
As if nor fence nor tree was placed between	T
'Twas border'd with a field and some was plain	L
With grass and some was sow'd with rising grain	L
That now the dew with spangles deck'd the ground	Y
A sweeter spot of earth was never found	Y
I look'd and look'd and still with new delight	Y
Such joy my soul such pleasures fill'd my sight	Y
And the fresh eglantine exhaled a breath	D2
Whose odours were of power to raise from death	D2
Nor sullen discontent nor anxious care	J
Even though brought thither could inhabit there	J
But thence they fled as from their mortal foe	E2
For this sweet place could only pleasure know	E2
	-
Thus as I mused I cast aside my eye	N
And saw a medlar tree was planted nigh	N
The spreading branches made a goodly show	E2
And full of opening blooms was every bough	F2
A goldfinch there I saw with gaudy pride	Y
Of painted plumes that hopp'd from side to side	Y
Still pecking as she pass'd and still she drew	O
The sweets from every flower and suck'd the dew	O
Sufficed at length she warbled in her throat	Y
And tuned her voice to many a merry note	Y
But indistinct and neither sweet nor clear	E
Yet such as soothed my soul and pleased my ear	G2
	-
Her short performance was no sooner tried	Y
When she I sought the nightingale replied	Y
So sweet so shrill so variously she sung	P
That the grove echoed and the valleys rung	P
And I so ravish'd with her heavenly note	Y
I stood entranced and had no room for thought	Y
But all o'er power'd with ecstasy of bliss	H2
Was in a pleasing dream of paradise	I2
At length I waked and looking round the bower	W
Search'd every tree and pry'd on every flower	W
If any where by chance I might espy	R
The rural poet of the melody	R
For still methought she sung not far away	I
At last I found her on a laurel spray	I
Close by my side she sat and fair in sight	Y
Full in a line against her opposite	Y
Where stood with eglantine the laurel twined	Y
And both their native sweets were well conjoin'd	Y
	-
On the green bank I sat and listen'd long	K
Sitting was more convenient for the song	K
Nor till her lay was ended could I move	J2
But wish'd to dwell for ever in the grove	B
Only methought the time too swiftly pass'd	Y
And every note I fear'd would be the last	Y
My sight and smell and hearing were employ'd	Y
And all three senses in full gust enjoy'd	Y
And what alone did all the rest surpass	Z
The sweet possession of the fairy place	S
Single and conscious to myself alone	A2
Of pleasures to the excluded world unknown	A2
Pleasures which nowhere else were to be found	Y
And all Elysium in a spot of ground	Y
	-
Thus while I sat intent to see and hear	G2
And drew perfumes of more than vital air	J
All suddenly I heard the approaching sound	Y
Of vocal music on the enchanted ground	Y
A host of saints it seem'd so full the quire	X
As if the bless'd above did all conspire	W
To join their voices and neglect the lyre	X
At length there issued from the grove behind	Y
A fair assembly of the female kind	Y
A train less fair as ancient fathers tell	C2
Seduced the sons of heaven to rebel	K2
I pass their form and every charming grace	S
Less than an angel would their worth debase	S
But their attire like liveries of a kind	Y
All rich and rare is fresh within my mind	Y
In velvet white as snow the troop was gown'd	Y
The seams with sparkling emeralds set around	Y
Their hoods and sleeves the same and purfled o'er	W
With diamonds pearls and all the shining store	L2
Of eastern pomp their long descending train	L
With rubies edged and sapphires swept the plain	L
High on their heads with jewels richly set	Y
Each lady wore a radiant coronet	Y
Beneath the circles all the quire was graced	Y
With chaplets green on their fair foreheads placed	Y
Of laurel some of woodbine many more	L2
And wreaths of Agnus castus others bore	L2
These last who with those virgin crowns were dress'd	Y
Appear'd in higher honour than the rest	Y
They danced around but in the midst was seen	T
A lady of a more majestic mien	T
By stature and by beauty mark'd their sovereign queen	T
	-
She in the midst began with sober grace	S
Her servants' eyes were fix'd upon her face	S
And as she moved or turn'd her motions view'd	Y
Her measures kept and step by step pursued	Y
Methought she trod the ground with greater grace	S
With more of godhead shining in her face	S
And as in beauty she surpass'd the quire	X
So nobler than the rest was her attire	W
A crown of ruddy gold enclosed her brow	F2
Plain without pomp and rich without a show	E2
A branch of Agnus castus in her hand	Y
She bore aloft her sceptre of command	Y
Admired adored by all the circling crowd	Y
For wheresoe'er she turn'd her face they bow'd	Y
And as she danced a roundelay she sung	P
In honour of the laurel ever young	P
She raised her voice on high and sung so clear	E
The fawns came scudding from the groves to hear	G2
And all the bending forest lent an ear	G2
At every close she made the attending throng	K
Replied and bore the burden of the song	K
So just so small yet in so sweet a note	Y
It seem'd the music melted in the throat	Y
	-
Thus dancing on and singing as they danced	Y
They to the middle of the mead advanced	Y
Till round my arbour a new ring they made	Y
And footed it about the sacred shade	Y
O'erjoy'd to see the jolly troops so near	E
But somewhat awed I shook with holy fear	E
Yet not so much but what I noted well	C2
Who did the most in song or dance excel	C2
	-
Not long I had observed when from afar	M2
I heard a sudden symphony of war	L2
The neighing coursers and the soldiers cry	N
And sounding trumps that seem'd to tear the sky	N
I saw soon after this behind the grove	B
From whence the ladies did in order move	J2
Come issuing out in arms a warrior train	L
That like a deluge pour'd upon the plain	L
On barbed steeds they rode in proud array	I
Thick as the college of the bees in May	I
When swarming o'er the dusky fields they fly	N
New to the flowers and intercept the sky	N
So fierce they drove their coursers were so fleet	Y
That the turf trembled underneath their feet	Y
	-
To tell their costly furniture were long	K
The summer's day would end before the song	K
To purchase but the tenth of all their store	L2
Would make the mighty Persian monarch poor	N2
Yet what I can I will before the rest	Y
The trumpets issued in white mantles dress'd	Y
A numerous troop and all their heads around	Y
With chaplets green of cerrial oak were crown'd	Y
And at each trumpet was a banner bound	Y
Which waving in the wind displayed at large	O2
Their master's coat of arms and knightly charge	O2
Broad were the banners and of snowy hue	O
A purer web the silk worm never drew	O
The chief about their necks the scutcheons wore	L2
With orient pearls and jewels powder'd o'er	W
Broad were their collars too and every one	A
Was set about with many a costly stone	A2
Next these of kings at arms a goodly train	L
In proud array came prancing o'er the plain	L
Their cloaks were cloth of silver mix'd with gold	Y
And garlands green around their temples roll'd	Y
Rich crowns were on their royal scutcheons placed	Y
With sapphires diamonds and with rubies graced	Y
And as the trumpets their appearance made	Y
So these in habits were alike array'd	Y
But with a pace more sober and more slow	E2
And twenty rank in rank they rode a row	E2
The pursuivants came next in number more	L2
And like the heralds each his scutcheon bore	L2
Clad in white velvet all their troop they led	Y
With each an oaken chaplet on his head	Y
	-
Nine royal knights in equal rank succeed	Y
Each warrior mounted on a fiery steed	Y
In golden armour glorious to behold	Y
The rivets of their arms were nail'd with gold	Y
Their surcoats of white ermine fur were made	Y
With cloth of gold between that cast a glittering shade	Y
The trappings of their steeds were of the same	P2
The golden fringe even set the ground on flame	P2
And drew a precious trail a crown divine	Q2
Of laurel did about their temples twine	Q2
	-
Three henchmen were for every knight assign'd	Y
All in rich livery clad and of a kind	Y
White velvet but unshorn for cloaks they wore	L2
And each within his hand a truncheon bore	L2
The foremost held a helm of rare device	I2
A prince's ransom would not pay the price	I2
The second bore the buckler of his knight	Y
The third of cornel wood a spear upright	Y
Headed with piercing steel and polish'd bright	Y
Like to their lords their equipage was seen	T
And all their foreheads crown'd with garlands green	T
	-
And after these came arm'd with spear and shield	Y
A host so great as cover'd all the field	Y
And all their foreheads like the knights before	L2
With laurels ever green were shaded o'er	W
Or oak or other leaves of lasting kind	Y
Tenacious of the stem and firm against the wind	Y
Some in their hands beside the lance and shield	Y
The boughs of woodbine or of hawthorn held	Y
Or branches for their mystic emblems took	R2
Of palm of laurel and of cerrial oak	S2
Thus marching to the trumpet's lofty sound	Y
Drawn in two lines adverse they wheel'd around	Y
And in the middle meadow took their ground	Y
Among themselves the tourney they divide	Y
In equal squadrons ranged on either side	Y
Then turn'd their horses' heads and man to man	T2
And steed to steed opposed the jousts began	T2
They lightly set their lances in the rest	Y
And at the sign against each other press'd	Y
They met I sitting at my ease beheld	Y
The mix'd events and fortunes of the field	Y
Some broke their spears some tumbled horse and man	T2
And round the field the lighten'd coursers ran	T2
An hour and more like tides in equal sway	I
They rush'd and won by turns and lost the day	I
At length the nine who still together held	Y
Their fainting foes to shameful flight compell'd	Y
And with resistless force o'er ran the field	Y
Thus to their fame when finish'd was the fight	Y
The victors from their lofty steeds alight	Y
Like them dismounted all the warlike train	L
And two by two proceeded o'er the plain	L
Till to the fair assembly they advanced	Y
Who near the secret arbour sung and danced	Y
	-
The ladies left their measures at the sight	Y
To meet the chiefs returning from the fight	Y
And each with open arms embraced her chosen knight	Y
Amid the plain a spreading laurel stood	Y
The grace and ornament of all the wood	Y
That pleasing shade they sought a soft retreat	Y
From sudden April showers a shelter from the heat	Y
Her leafy arms with such extent were spread	Y
So near the clouds was her aspiring head	Y
That hosts of birds that wing the liquid air	J
Perch'd in the boughs had nightly lodging there	J
And flocks of sheep beneath the shade from far	M2
Might hear the rattling hail and wintry war	L2
From heaven's inclemency here found retreat	Y
Enjoy'd the cool and shunn'd the scorching heat	Y
A hundred knights might there at ease abide	Y
And every knight a lady by his side	Y
The trunk itself such odours did bequeath	U2
That a Moluccan breeze to these was common breath	D2
The lords and ladies here approaching paid	Y
Their homage with a low obeisance made	Y
And seem'd to venerate the sacred shade	Y
These rites perform'd their pleasures they pursue	O
With song of love and mix with measures new	O
Around the holy tree their dance they frame	P2
And every champion leads his chosen dame	P2
	-
I cast my sight upon the farther field	Y
And a fresh object of delight beheld	Y
For from the region of the West I heard	Y
New music sound and a new troop appear'd	Y
Of knights and ladies mix'd a jolly band	Y
But all on foot they march'd and hand in hand	Y
	-
The ladies dress'd in rich symars were seen	T
Of Florence satin flower'd with white and green	T
And for a shade betwixt the bloomy gridelin	T
The borders of their petticoats below	E2
Were guarded thick with rubies on a row	E2
And every damsel wore upon her head	Y
Of flowers a garland blended white and red	Y
Attired in mantles all the knights were seen	T
That gratified the view with cheerful green	T
Their chaplets of their ladies' colours were	W
Composed of white and red to shade their shining hair	J
Before the merry troop the minstrels play'd	Y
All in their masters' liveries were array'd	Y
And clad in green and on their temples wore	L2
The chaplets white and red their ladies bore	L2
Their instruments were various in their kind	Y
Some for the bow and some for breathing wind	Y
The sawtry pipe and hautboy's noisy band	Y
And the soft lute trembling beneath the touching hand	Y
A tuft of daisies on a flowery lea	R
They saw and thitherward they bent their way	I
To this both knights and dames their homage made	Y
And due obeisance to the daisy paid	Y
And then the band of flutes began to play	I
To which a lady sung a virelay	I
And still at every close she would repeat	Y
The burden of the song The daisy is so sweet	Y
The daisy is so sweet when she begun	T
The troop of knights and dames continued on	T
The concert and the voice so charm'd my ear	G2
And soothed my soul that it was heaven to hear	G2
	-
But soon their pleasure pass'd at noon of day	I
The sun with sultry beams began to play	I
Not Sirius shoots a fiercer flame from high	N
When with his poisonous breath he blasts the sky	N
Then droop'd the fading flowers their beauty fled	Y
And closed their sickly eyes and hung the head	Y
And rivell'd up with heat lay dying in their bed	Y
The ladies gasp'd and scarcely could respire	G2
The breath they drew no longer air but fire	G2
The fainty knights were scorch'd and knew not where	G2
To run for shelter for no shade was near	G2
And after this the gathering clouds amain	T
Pour'd down a storm of rattling hail and rain	T
And lightning flash'd betwixt the field and flowers	D
Burnt up before were buried in the showers	D
The ladies and the knights no shelter nigh	N
Bare to the weather and the wintry sky	N
Were drooping wet disconsolate and wan	T
And through their thin array received the rain	T
While those in white protected by the tree	G2
Saw pass in vain the assault and stood from danger free	G2
But as compassion moved their gentle minds	V2
When ceased the storm and silent were the winds	W2
Displeased at what not suffering they had seen	T
They went to cheer the faction of the green	T
The queen in white array before her band	Y
Saluting took her rival by the hand	Y
So did the knights and dames with courtly grace	S
And with behaviour sweet their foes embrace	S
Then thus the queen with laurel on her brow	G2
Fair sister I have suffer'd in your woe	E2
Nor shall be wanting aught within my power	G2
For your relief in my refreshing bower	G2
That other answer'd with a lowly look	R2
And soon the gracious invitation took	R2
For ill at ease both she and all her train	T
The scorching sun had borne and beating rain	T
Like courtesy was used by all in white	Y
Each dame a dame received and every knight a knight	Y
The laurel champions with their swords invade	Y
The neighbouring forests where the jousts were made	Y
And serewood from the rotten hedges took	R2
And seeds of latent fire from flints provoke	S2
A cheerful blaze arose and by the fire	G2
They warm'd their frozen feet and dried their wet attire	G2
Refresh'd with heat the ladies sought around	Y
For virtuous herbs which gather'd from the ground	Y
They squeezed the juice and cooling ointment made	Y
Which on their sun burnt cheeks and their chapt skins they laid	Y
Then sought green salads which they bade them eat	Y
A sovereign remedy for inward heat	Y
	-
The Lady of the Leaf ordain'd a feast	Y
And made the Lady of the Flower her guest	Y
When lo a bower ascended on the plain	T
With sudden seats ordain'd and large for either train	T
This bower was near my pleasant arbour placed	Y
That I could hear and see whatever pass'd	Y
The ladies sat with each a knight between	T
Distinguish'd by their colours white and green	T
The vanquish'd party with the victors join'd	Y
Nor wanted sweet discourse the banquet of the mind	Y
Meantime the minstrels play'd on either side	Y
Vain of their art and for the mastery vied	Y
The sweet contention lasted for an hour	G2
And reach'd my secret arbour from the bower	G2
	-
The sun was set and Vesper to supply	N
His absent beams had lighted up the sky	N
When Philomel officious all the day	I
To sing the service of the ensuing May	I
Fled from her laurel shade and wing'd her flight	Y
Directly to the queen array'd in white	Y
And hopping sat familiar on her hand	Y
A new musician and increased the band	Y
	-
The goldfinch who to shun the scalding heat	Y
Had changed the medlar for a safer seat	Y
And hid in bushes 'scaped the bitter shower	G2
Now perch'd upon the Lady of the Flower	G2
And either songster holding out their throats	X2
And folding up their wings renew'd their notes	X2
As if all day precluding to the fight	Y
They only had rehearsed to sing by night	Y
The banquet ended and the battle done	T
They danced by star light and the friendly moon	T
And when they were to part the laureate queen	T
Supplied with steeds the lady of the green	T
Her and her train conducting on the way	I
The moon to follow and avoid the day	I
	-
This when I saw inquisitive to know	E2
The secret moral of the mystic show	E2
I started from my shade in hopes to find	Y
Some nymph to satisfy my longing mind	Y
And as my fair adventure fell I found	Y
A lady all in white with laurel crown'd	Y
Who closed the rear and softly paced along	K
Repeating to herself the former song	K
With due respect my body I inclined	Y
As to some being of superior kind	Y
And made my court according to the day	I
Wishing her queen and her a happy May	I
Great thanks my daughter with a gracious bow	G2
She said and I who much desired to know	E2
Of whence she was yet fearful how to break	Y2
My mind adventured humbly thus to speak	Z2
Madam might I presume and not offend	Y
So may the stars and shining moon attend	Y
Your nightly sports as you vouchsafe to tell	I
What nymphs they were who mortal forms excel	I
And what the knights who fought in listed fields so well	I
To this the dame replied Fair daughter know	E2
That what you saw was all a fairy show	E2
And all those airy shapes you now behold	Y
Were human bodies once and clothed with earthly mould	Y
Our souls not yet prepared for upper light	Y
Till doomsday wander in the shades of night	Y
This only holiday of all the year	G2
We privileged in sunshine may appear	G2
With songs and dance we celebrate the day	I
And with due honours usher in the May	I
At other times we reign by night alone	T
And posting through the skies pursue the moon	T
But when the morn arises none are found	Y
For cruel Demogorgon walks the round	Y
And if he finds a fairy lag in light	Y
He drives the wretch before and lashes into night	Y
	-
All courteous are by kind and ever proud	Y
With friendly offices to help the good	Y
In every land we have a larger space	S
Than what is known to you of mortal race	S
Where we with green adorn our fairy bowers	D
And even this grove unseen before is ours	D
Know farther every lady clothed in white	Y
And crown'd with oak and laurel every knight	Y
Are servants to the Leaf by liveries known	T
Of innocence and I myself am one	T
Saw you not her so graceful to behold	Y
In white attire and crown'd with radiant gold	Y
The sovereign lady of our land is she	G2
Diana call'd the Queen of Chastity	G2
And for the spotless name of maid she bears	A3
That Agnus castus in her hand appears	B3
And all her train with leafy chaplets crown'd	Y
Were for unblamed virginity renown'd	Y
But those the chief and highest in command	Y
Who bear those holy branches in their hand	Y
The knights adorn'd with laurel crowns are they	I
Whom death nor danger ever could dismay	I
Victorious names who made the world obey	I
Who while they lived in deeds of arms excell'd	Y
And after death for deities were held	Y
But those who wear the woodbine on their brow	G2
Were knights of love who never broke their vow	G2
Firm to their plighted faith and ever free	G2
From fears and fickle chance and jealousy	G2
The lords and ladies who the woodbine bear	G2
As true as Tristram and Isotta were	G2
	-
But what are those said I the unconquer'd nine	T
Who crown'd with laurel wreaths in golden armour shine	T
And who the knights in green and what the train	T
Of ladies dress'd with daisies on the plain	T
Why both the bands in worship disagree	G2
And some adore the flower and some the tree	G2
	-
Just is your suit fair daughter said the dame	P2
Those laurell'd chiefs were men of mighty fame	P2
Nine worthies were they call'd of different rites	C3
Three Jews three Pagans and three Christian knights	C3
These as you see ride foremost in the field	Y
As they the foremost rank of honour held	Y
And all in deeds of chivalry excell'd	Y
Their temples wreathed with leaves that still renew	T
For deathless laurel is the victor's due	T
Who bear the bows were knights in Arthur's reign	T
Twelve they and twelve the peers of Charlemagne	T
For bows the strength of brawny arms imply	N
Emblems of valour and of victory	G2
Behold an order yet of newer date	Y
Doubling their number equal in their state	Y
Our England's ornament the crown's defence	D3
In battle brave protectors of their prince	E3
Unchanged by fortune to their sovereign true	T
For which their manly legs are bound with blue	T
These of the Garter call'd of faith unstain'd	Y
In fighting fields the laurel have obtain'd	Y
And well repaid the honours which they gain'd	Y
The laurel wreaths were first by Cesar worn	T
And still they Cesar's successors adorn	T
One leaf of this is immortality	G2
And more of worth than all the world can buy	N
	-
One doubt remains said I the dames in green	T
What were their qualities and who their queen	T
Flora commands said she those nymphs and knights	C3
Who lived in slothful ease and loose delights	C3
Who never acts of honour durst pursue	T
The men inglorious knights the ladies all untrue	T
Who nursed in idleness and train'd in courts	F3
Pass'd all their precious hours in plays and sports	F3
Till death behind came stalking on unseen	T
And wither'd like the storm the freshness of their green	T
These and their mates enjoy their present hour	G2
And therefore pay their homage to the Flower	G2
But knights in knightly deeds should persevere	G2
And still continue what at first they were	G2
Continue and proceed in honour's fair career	G2
No room for cowardice or dull delay	I
From good to better they should urge their way	I
For this with golden spurs the chiefs are graced	Y
With pointed rowels arm'd to mend their haste	Y
For this with lasting leaves their brows are bound	Y
For laurel is the sign of labour crown'd	Y
Which bears the bitter blast nor shaken falls to ground	Y
From winter winds it suffers no decay	I
For ever fresh and fair and every month is May	I
Even when the vital sap retreats below	E2
Even when the hoary head is hid in snow	E2
The life is in the Leaf and still between	T
The fits of falling snow appears the streaky green	T
Not so the Flower which lasts for little space	S
A short lived good and an uncertain grace	S
This way and that the feeble stem is driven	T
Weak to sustain the storms and injuries of heaven	T
Propp'd by the spring it lifts aloft the head	Y
But of a sickly beauty soon to shed	Y
In summer living and in winter dead	Y
For things of tender kind for pleasure made	Y
Shoot up with swift increase and sudden are decay'd	Y
	-
With humble words the wisest I could frame	P2
And proffer'd service I repaid the dame	P2
That of her grace she gave her maid to know	E2
The secret meaning of this moral show	E2
And she to prove what profit I had made	Y
Of mystic truth in fables first convey'd	Y
Demanded till the next returning May	I
Whether the Leaf or Flower I would obey	I
I chose the Leaf she smiled with sober cheer	G2
And wish'd me fair adventure for the year	G2
And gave me charms and sigils for defence	D3
Against ill tongues that scandal innocence	G3
But I said she my fellows must pursue	T
Already past the plain and out of view	T
	-
We parted thus I homeward sped my way	I
Bewilder'd in the wood till dawn of day	I
And met the merry crew who danced about the May	I
Then late refresh'd with sleep I rose to write	Y
The visionary vigils of the night	Y
	-
Blush as thou may'st my little book with shame	P2
Nor hope with homely verse to purchase fame	P2
For such thy maker chose and so design'd	Y
Thy simple style to suit thy lowly kind	Y

John Dryden

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About The Flower And The Leaf: Or, The Lady In The Arbour.[1]

The Flower And The Leaf: Or, The Lady In The Arbour.[1] is a poem by John Dryden. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.

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