FIRSTLINGS OF SPRING.
PRETTY, golden dandelions,
With your seeds of feather,
Starring all the country-side
In the sunny weather;
Violets filled with dewdrops,
Delicate and sweet,
Giving out your fragrance,
Underneath our feet;
Daisies in the meadow
With your silver frills;
Roses by the wayside,
Kingcups on the hills;
Starflowers and innocence,
Windy, cloud-swept clover,—
Lovely little blossoms
All the wide world over,
When I see you crowding,
I know that summer comes;
Soon, I know, the bird sings;
Soon the wild bee hums.
When I see you blooming,
All the honeyed crew,
Into songs of gladness
My heart blossoms too!
G. Hall,
in Our Continent.