DEFIANCE

DEFIANCE

DEFIANCE

I saw the orchards whiteningTo Easter in late Lent.Now struck of hell’s own lightningWith branches broken and bentBehold the tall trees rent:—Beaten with iron rain!And ever in my brainTo every shell that’s sentSounds back this small refrain:—“You foolish shells, come kill me,Blacken my limbs with flame:I saw the English orchards(And so may die content)All white before I came!”

I saw the orchards whiteningTo Easter in late Lent.Now struck of hell’s own lightningWith branches broken and bentBehold the tall trees rent:—Beaten with iron rain!And ever in my brainTo every shell that’s sentSounds back this small refrain:—“You foolish shells, come kill me,Blacken my limbs with flame:I saw the English orchards(And so may die content)All white before I came!”

I saw the orchards whitening

To Easter in late Lent.

Now struck of hell’s own lightning

With branches broken and bent

Behold the tall trees rent:—

Beaten with iron rain!

And ever in my brain

To every shell that’s sent

Sounds back this small refrain:—

“You foolish shells, come kill me,

Blacken my limbs with flame:

I saw the English orchards

(And so may die content)

All white before I came!”

Back to IndexNext