THE BLOSSOM 109 CVIII TO DAFFODILS FAIR daffodils, we weep to see Until the hasting day But to the evensong; And, having prayed together, we We have short time to stay, as you, We die As your hours do, and dry Away, Like to the summer's rain ; Or as the pearls of morning's dew, Ne'er to be found again. Herrick. CIX THE BLOSSOM LITTLE think'st thou, poor flower, Whom I have watched six or seven days, And now dost laugh and triumph on this bough, That it will freeze anon, and that I shall Little think'st thou, poor heart, That labourest yet to nestle thee, And think'st by hovering here to get a part And hop'st her stiffness by long siege to bow, That thou, to-morrow, ere the sun doth wake, Must with the sun and me a journey take. J. Donne. CX TO BLOSSOMS FAIR pledges of a fruitful tree, Your date is not so past What! were ye born to be TO VIOLETS But you are lovely leaves, where we Into the grave. CXI TO VIOLETS WELCOME, maids of honour, You do bring In the Spring, And wait upon her. She has virgins many, Fresh and fair; Yet you are More sweet than any. You're the maiden posies, And so graced To be placed 'Fore damask roses. Yet, though thus respected, By-and-by Ye do lie, Poor girls, neglected. 111 Herrick. Herrick. CXII THE ROSE A ROSE, as fair as ever saw the North, A sweeter flower did Nature ne'er put forth, The maidens danced about it morn and noon, God shield the stock! If heaven send no supplies, Wm. Browne. CXIII THE FUNERAL RITES OF THE ROSE THE Rose was sick and smiling died; And, being to be sanctified, About the bed there sighing stood The sweet and flowery sisterhood: Some hung the head, while some did bring, But all a solemn fast there kept: A SUMMER'S EVENING The holy sisters, some among, 1 The sacred dirge and trental 1 sung. Herrick. 113 CXIV A SUMMER'S EVENING CLEAR had the day been from the dawn, The clouds, like scarfs of cobweb lawn, The wind had no more strength than this, To make one leaf the next to kiss The rills, that on the pebbles play'd, The flowers, like brave embroider'd girls, To see whose head with orient pearls Most curiously was tyred. 1 Trental, a service for the dead, of thirty masses, usually celebrated upon as many different days. H |