But oh! in windy autumn,

When frail flowers wither,

What should we do for hope and joy, Fading together?

I planted a. hand

And there came up a palm,

I planted a heart

And there came up balm.

Then I planted a wish,

But there sprang a thorn,

While heaven frowned with thunder And earth sighed forlorn.

Under the ivy bush

One sits sighing, And under the willow tree One sits crying:

Under the ivy bush

Cease from your sighing, But under the willow tree Lie down a-dying.

I am a King,

Or an Emperor rather, I wear crown-imperial

And prince's-feather; Golden-rod is the sceptre I wield and wag,

And a broad purple flag-flower Waves for my flag.

Elder the pithy

With old-man and sage,

These are my councillors
Green in old age;
Lords-and-ladies in silence
Stand round me and wait,

While gay ragged-robin
Makes bows at my gate.

There is one that has a head without an eye,

And there's one that has an eye without a head:

You may find the answer if you try;

And when all is said,

Half the answer hangs upon a thread!