It stood upon a meadow fair,
A green and leafy tree.
Gaily it met the breezes there,
Lovely it was to see.
One night a storm of wind and rain
Rent it from earth apart.
The reason then was very plain.
Decay was at its heart.
He was a youth of promise fine,
The strongest of the crowd.
His features wore the stamp divine,
His eye was clear and proud.
He could have lived to purpose high
And played a noble part.
But no, he fell. The reason why?
Decay was at his heart.