quote · Legacy record
When spring returns, the little children play, In the grave-yard of the cathedral grey, Busy as morning bees, and gather flowers— Daisies and gold-cups—of the hurrying hours Thoughtless as unsolicitous, though time Speeds like a spectre, and their playful prime Bears on to sorrow. Angel! cry aloud! Speak of the knell, the grave-worm and the shroud! No! let them play! for solitude and care Too soon will teach them what poor mortals are. Yes! let them play, but as their thoughts expand, May smiling pity lead them by the hand, When they look up, and in the clouds admire The lessening shaft of that aërial spire, So be their thoughts uplifted from the sod, Where time’s brief flowers they gather to their God.
When spring returns, the little children play, In the grave-yard of the cathedral grey, Busy as morning bees, and gather flowers— Daisies and gold-cups—of the hurrying hours Thoughtless as unsolicitous, though time Speeds like a spectre, and their playful prime Bears on to sorrow. Angel! cry aloud! Speak of the knell, the grave-worm and the shroud! No! let them play! for solitude and care Too soon will teach them what poor mortals are. Yes! let them play, but as their thoughts expand, May smiling pity lead them by the hand, When they look up, and in the clouds admire The lessening shaft of that aërial spire, So be their thoughts uplifted from the sod, Where time’s brief flowers they gather to their God.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- W. Lisle Bowles (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 228 · printed citation: W. Lisle Bowles · subject: FLOWERS
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.