Autumn Leaves (1856), by John Everett Millais

Blighting forth from out the north,

Urus breathers his chilling breath,

Biting all, and blighting all,

Shrouding nature cold in death;

Telling but that mournful tale,

Which, alas! too well I know;

Soon disease like Urus’ gale,

Shall unnerve and lay me low.

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Making bare to wintry air,

Tender vine and stately oak;

Shaking off, and taking off,

Nature’s seared and sable cloak;

Telling how when fortune’s wheel

Starts upon its downward turn,

Even friends will aid its keel,

Associates laugh and kindred scorn.

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The trembling branch, with sudden wrench

From it grew is torn away,

And falling down, and rolling down,

It stops, and there begins decay;

Telling how within the breast

Oft the sweetest hopes may rise,

And how quick some cruel blast

Blows, and lo! it droops and dies.

JOHN DODSON TAYLOR, SR.