A Contemplation Upon Flowers by Henry King
b"King read by Classic Poetry Aloud:\\nhttp://www.classicpoetryaloud.com/\\nGiving voice to the poetry of the past.\\n\\n---------------------------------------------\\n\\nA Contemplation upon Flowers\\nby Henry King, Bishop of Chichester (1592 \\u2013 1669) \\n\\nBrave flowers\\u2014that I could gallant it like you,\\n And be as little vain!\\nYou come abroad, and make a harmless show,\\n And to your beds of earth again.\\nYou are not proud: you know your birth:\\nFor your embroider'd garments are from earth.\\nYou do obey your months and times, but I\\n Would have it ever Spring:\\nMy fate would know no Winter, never die,\\n Nor think of such a thing.\\nO that I could my bed of earth but view\\nAnd smile, and look as cheerfully as you!\\n\\nO teach me to see Death and not to fear,\\n But rather to take truce!\\nHow often have I seen you at a bier,\\n And there look fresh and spruce!\\nYou fragrant flowers! then teach me, that my breath\\nLike yours may sweeten and perfume my death."