When God cut holes in Heaven, He let the scraps fall down to earth, Ere russet fields their green resume, Of all her train, the hands of Spring Beside the snow-bank's edges cold. Thy parent sun, who bade thee view Yet slight thy form and low thy seat, Oft, in the sunless April day, Thy early smile has stayed my walk; But midst the gorgeous blooms of May I passed thee on thy humble stalk. So they who climb to wealth forget The friends in darker fortunes tried; I copied them — but I regret That I should ape the ways of pride. And when again the genial hour We have short time to stay as you, As your hours do, and dry Like to the summer's rain; Or as the pearls of morning's dew, Then, from out of the mossiest hiding-places, Smile meek moonlight-colored faces Of pale primroses puritan, In maiden sisterhood demure; Each virgin floweret faint and wan With the bliss of her own sweet breath so pure. And the borage, blue-eyed, with a thrill of pride All creased from the delicate traveling-case Which a warm breeze breaks. The daisy awakes And opens her wondering eyes, yet red About the rims with a too long sleep; Whilst, bold from his ambush, with helm on head And lance in rest, doth the bulrush leap. - Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton (Owen Meredith). I THE DAFFODILS. WANDERED lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Continuous as the stars that shine Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they A poet could not but be gay In such a jocund company; I gazed and gazed - but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought. For oft when on my couch I lie – William Wordsworth. THE BLUE JAY. BLUE JAY up in the maple tree, Shaking your throat with such bursts of glee, How did you happen to be so blue? Did you steal a bit of the lake for your crest, And fasten blue violets into your vest? Did you dip your wings in azure dye, Or were you hatched from a bluebell bright, O Blue Jay up in the maple tree, |