An Apple Gathering

Lyrics

I plucked pink blossoms from mine apple-tree And wore them all that evening in my hair: Then in due season when I went to see I found no apples there With dangling basket all along the grass As I had come I went the selfsame track: My neighbours mocked me while they saw me pass So empty-handed back Lilian and Lilias smiled in trudging by Their heaped-up basket teased me like a jeer; Sweet-voiced they sang beneath the sunset sky Their mother's home was near Plump Gertrude passed me with her basket full A stronger hand than hers helped it along; A voice talked with her through the shadows cool More sweet to me than song Ah Willie, Willie, was my love less worth Than apples with their green leaves piled above? I counted rosiest apples on the earth Of far less worth than love So once it was with me you stooped to talk Laughing and listening in this very lane: To think that by this way we used to walk We shall not walk again! I let me neighbours pass me, ones and twos And groups; the latest said the night grew chill And hastened: but I loitered, while the dews Fell fast I loitered still