Page:Poems Rossetti.djvu/274

SYMBOLS.

I WATCHED a rosebud very long
 Brought on by dew and sun and shower,
 Waiting to see the perfect flower:
Then, when I thought it should be strong,
 It opened at the matin hour
And fell at evensong.

I watched a nest from day to day,
 A green nest full of pleasant shade,
 Wherein three speckled eggs were laid:
But when they should have hatched in May,
 The two old birds had grown afraid
Or tired, and flew away.

Then in my wrath I broke the bough
 That I had tended so with care,
 Hoping its scent should fill the air;
I crushed the eggs, not heeding how
 Their ancient promise had been fair:
I would have vengeance now.

But the dead branch spoke from the sod,
 And the eggs answered me again:
 Because we failed dost thou complain?
Is thy wrath just? And what if God,
 Who waiteth for thy fruits in vain,
Should also take the rod?