THE PRIMROSE. 33 THE PRIMROSE. WELCOME,(pale primrose! starting up between Glows on the sunny bank, and wood's warm side. Plucking the fairest with a rude delight; While the meek shepherd stops his simple song, To gaze a moment on the pleasing sight; O'erjoyed to see the flowers that truly bring The welcome news of sweet returning Spring. CLARE. 5 A TRIBUTE TO MAY. (FROM THE GERMAN OF CONRAD OF KIRCHBERG.) MAY, Sweet May, again is come,- On the laughing hedgerow's side She hath spread her treasures wide; Where the nightingale hath made Every branch and every tree Ring with her sweet melody: Hill and dale are May's own treasures, Sing ye! join the chorus gay! Up! then, children! we will go, In a joyful company, We the bursting flowers will see; Up, your festal dress prepare! Where gay hearts are meeting, there THE WOODLAND IN SPRING. 35 May hath pleasures most inviting, Heart, and sight, and ear, delighting. Hark! how soft it floats along. Courtly dames! our pleasure share; Sing ye! join the chorus gay! ROSCOE. THE WOODLAND IN SPRING. E'EN in the spring and play-time of the year, Sits cooing in the pine-tree, nor suspends His long love-ditty for my near approach. Ascends the neighboring beech; there whisks his brush, And perks his ears, and stamps and cries aloud, With all the prettiness of feigned alarm, And anger insignificantly fierce. COWPER. BREATHINGS OF SPRING. WHAT wakest thou, Spring? Sweet voices in the woods, And reed-like echoes, that have long been mute; Thou bringest back, to fill the solitudes, The lark's clear pipe, the cuckoo's viewless flute, Whose tone seems breathing mournfulness or glee, E'en as our hearts may be BREATHINGS OF SPRING. 37 And the leaves greet thee, Spring!the joyous leaves, Whose tremblings gladden many a copse and glade, And happy murmurs, running through the grass, (And the bright waters—they too hear thy call, Spring, the awakener! thou hast burst their sleep! Amidst the hollows of the rocks their fall Makes melody, and in the forests deep, Where sudden sparkles and blue gleams betray And flowers the fairy-peopled world of flowers!) Silent they seem—yet each to thoughtful eye But what awakest thou in the heart, O Spring! |