The precedence of spring and summer

And the sequence of autumn and winter

Mark the arrangement of the four seasons

Printed in our lifetime from beginning to end.

In the transformations and growth of things

Every bud and feature has its proper build;

And in this we have their gradual maturing

And decay -- the constant flow of change.

Since Heaven is lofty but Earth is low and humble,

Still both are most spirit-like and distinguished

As more honourable and less, by precedence

And sequence, how much more must we look

For this in the ways of men! . . Don't even ask me.