Madam, the flower that I received from you, br Ere I came home, had lost its lovely hue: br As flowers deprived of the genial day, br Its sprightly bloom did wither and decay; br Dear, fading flower, I know full well, said I, br The reason why you shed your sweets and die; br You want the influence of her enlivening eye. br Your case is mine -- Absence, that plague of love! br With heavy pace makes every minute move: br It of my being is an empty blank, br And hinders me myself with men to rank; br Your cheering presence quickeneth me again, br And new-sprung life exults in every vein.