Vanity

A wan sky greener than the lawn,A wan lawn paler than the sky.She gave a flower into my hand,And all the hours of eve went by.

Who knows what round the corner waitsTo smite? If shipwreck, snare, or slurShall leave me with a head to lift,Worthy of him that spoke with her.

A wan sky greener than the lawn,A wan lawn paler than the sky.She gave a flower into my hand,And all the days of life went by.

Live ill or well, this thing is mine,From all I guard it, ill or well.One tawdry, tattered, faded flowerTo show the jealous kings in hell.