Daffodil

We've had rather odd weather this spring, with an early spell of very warm days everything started to grow and bloom from the magnolias, to the bulbs to the fruit tree buds.  Now we've had a few days of cold frosts and a thick blanket of snow.  I hope it clears soon or I fear that new growth might die...


To Daffodils
Robert Herrick (Hesperides,1648)

Fair Daffodils, we weep to see
      You haste away so soon;
As yet the early-rising sun
      Has not attain'd his noon.
                Stay, stay,
           Until the hasting day
                Has run
           But to the even-song;
And, having pray'd together, we
Will go with you along.
We have short time to stay, as you,
      We have as short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
      As you, or anything.
                We die
           As your hours do, and dry
                Away,
           Like to the summer's rain;
Or as the pearls of morning's dew,
Ne'er to be found again.