ORCHARD BLOSSOM 



DOWN the grass-grown lane there is a stile and 

 over its crooked rail an orchard where May has re- 

 vealed a fairyland, or as if a tiny scrap of heaven had 

 dropped from out of the azure blue and in the sun- 

 light rested there awhile. 



The apple trees are old and bent, all overgrown 

 with moss and lichen, but half snow-clad in pink- 

 tipped white, 'midst carmine buds ; while all below 

 the burnished buttercups gold-spot the rich green 

 grass where daisies hide, and from out the hawthorn 

 hedge the blackbird pours his liquid melody. 



I wonder if there is in heaven's land a fairer 

 sight, for, if there be, then must our hearts and eyes 

 grow much deeper and larger : they are full to over- 

 flowing now ; yet so must it be, for 'eye hath not seen, 

 nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of 

 man, the things which...' are there, and fade not. 



79 



