Seest not that Almond plucked by hand ✿ Of man from bough where wont to dwell:
Peeling it shows the heart within ✿ As union-pearl in oyster-shell.
And as saith a third better than he:—
How good is Almond green I view! ✿ The smallest fills the hand of you:
Its nap is as the down upon ✿ The cheeks where yet no beardlet grew:
Its kernels in the shell are seen, ✿ Or bachelors or married two,
As pearls they were of lucent white ✿ Casèd and lapped in Jasper’s hue.
And as saith yet another and saith well:—
Mine eyes ne’er looked on aught the Almond like ✿ For charms, when blossoms[[398]] in the Prime show bright:
Its head to hoariness of age inclines ✿ The while its cheek by youth’s fresh down is dight.