A Song of Spring and Autumn
Francis Turner Palgrave

IN the season of white wild roses

We two went hand in hand:

But now in the ruddy autumn

Together already we stand.

O pale pearl-necklace that wandered

O’er the white-thorn’s tangled head!

The white-thorn is turned to russet,

The pearls to purple and red!

On the topmost orchard branches

It then was crimson and snow,

Where now the gold-red apples

Burn on the turf below.

And between the trees the children

In and out run hand in hand;

And, with smiles that answer their smiling,

We two together stand.

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