The summer’s residue
In aromatic leaf,
Shrunken and dry, yet true
In fragrance, their belief,
These from the hard earth drew
Essence of rosemary,
Of lavender, faintly blue,
While unconfused nearby
From the same earth distilled
Grey sage and savory,
Each one distinctly willed,
Stoic morality
The Emperor said: “Though all
Conspire to break thy will,
Clear stone, thou emerald, shall
Be ever emerald still.”
And these, small, unobserved,
Through summer chemistry,
Have all their might conserved
In treasure, finally.
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