The moist red hearts of these—

Alas, no longer give out blissful breath,

But odors rank with death.

Their dewiness is dank;

It chills my pallid arms,

Once blushing 'neath their charms;

And their green stems hang lank,

Stricken with leprosy, and fair no more,

But withered to the core.

Vain thought! to bear along,