Gone For Ever

by Christina Rossetti

Gone For Ever

O happy rose-bud blooming
         Upon thy parent tree,
Nay, thou art too presuming;
For soon the earth entombing
         Thy faded charms shall be,
And the chill damp consuming.

O happy skylark springing
         Up to the broad blue sky,
Too fearless in thy winging,
Too gladsome in thy singing,
         Thou also soon shalt lie
Where no sweet notes are ringing.

And through life’s shine and shower
         We shall have joy and pain;
But in the summer bower,
And at the morning hour,
         We still shall look in vain
For the dame bird and flower.

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