Once in a golden hour

I cast to earth a seed.

Up there came a flower,

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The people said, a weed.

To and fro they went

Thro’ my garden bower,

And muttering discontent

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Cursed me and my flower.

Then it grew so tall

It wore a crown of light,

But thieves from o’er the wall

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Stole the seed by night.

Sow’d it far and wide

By every town and tower,

Till all the people cried,

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"Splendid is the flower!"

Read my little fable:

He that runs may read.

Most can raise the flowers now,

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For all have got the seed.

And some are pretty enough,

And some are poor indeed;

And now again the people

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Call it but a weed.