DEFIANCE
Reading edition
I saw the orchards whitening To Easter in late Lent. Now struck of hell’s own lightning With branches broken and bent Behold the tall trees rent:— Beaten with iron rain! And ever in my brain To every shell that’s sent Sounds back this small refrain:— “You foolish shells, come kill me, Blacken my limbs with flame: I saw the English orchards (And so may die content) All white before I came!”