And the wand-like lily, which lifted up, Gazed through clear dew on the tender sky; And the jessamine faint, and the sweet tuberose, - Percy Bysshe Shelley. TO THE SMALL CELANDINE. PANSI ANSIES, lilies, kingcups, daisies, They will have a place in story; 'Tis the little Celandine. Eyes of some men travel far Up and down the heaven they go, I'm as great as they, I trow, Like a sage astronomer. Modest, yet withal an Elf Since we needs must first have met Ere a leaf is on a bush, In the time before the thrush Telling tales about the sun, When we've little warmth, or none. William Wordsworth. FLOWERS. IRST of all the violet, with an eye FIRS Blue as the midnight heavens; the frail snowdrop, Born of the breath of winter, and on his brow Fixed like a pale and melancholy star; The languid hyacinth and wild primrose, The foxglove, in whose drooping bells the bee Bryan Waller Procter (Barry Cornwall). A SECRET. HAVE a secret to tell you, Though you may not believe it But a fairy whispered it to me, When May wakes the grass And the birds build their nests and sing, is sweet With the fresh, warm breath of spring; The blossoms, down in the meadow, And I'll tell you what they are singing, The Daisy nods, "Be cheerful;" "Be patient," the Violet whispers ; "'Tis the very best thing, I'm sure." The Rose, sweet, winsome teacher, "Come gather the riches of thought," And I think if you listen closely With the song of the brook, the breeze, and the birds, You can hear the flowers sing. - Helen Isabel Moorhouse. H THE FIRST SWALLOW. E has come before the daffodils, The foolish and impatient bird; Oh! he has left his mother's home; There is a land in Youth's first dreams Rush to the world, unguided youth, And find a lesson in the unwise swallow. - William Wordsworth. A PERSEVERANCE. SWALLOW in the spring Came to our granary, and beneath the eaves Essayed to make a nest, and there did bring Wet earth, and straw and leaves Day after day she toiled With patient art; but, ere her work was crowned, Some sad mishap the tiny fabric spoiled, And dashed it to the ground. She found the ruin wrought ; But, not cast down, forth from the place she flew, And with her mate fresh earth and grasses brought, And built her nest anew. |