Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

You may prick me with a thistle, if you ever hear me whistle

How my brooding mate, whose weariness my carols sweet dispel,

All between the clouds and clover, appleblossoms drooping over,

Twitters low that I must never, never, never, never tell.

Oh, I swear no closer fellow stains his bill in cherries mellow.

Tra la la! and tirra lirra! I'm the jauntiest sentinel,

Perched beside my jewel-casket, where lie hidden - don't you ask it,

For of those three eggs I'll never, never, never, never tell.

Chirp ! chirp ! chirp ! alack! for pity! Who hath marred my merry ditty? Who hath stirred the scented petals, peeping in where robins dwell?

Oh, my mate! May Heaven defend her! Little maidens' hearts are tender, And I never, never, never, never, never meant to tell.

A SONG OF RICHES

WHAT will you give to a barefoot lass, Morning with breath like wine? Wade, bare feet! In my wide morass Starry marigolds shine.

Alms, sweet Noon, for a barefoot lass,
With her laughing looks aglow!
Run, bare feet! In my fragrant grass
Golden buttercups blow.

Gift, a gift for a barefoot lass,
O twilight hour of dreams!
Rest, bare feet, by my lake of glass,
Where the mirrored sunset gleams.

Homeward the weary merchants pass,
With the gold bedimmed by care.
Little they wis that the barefoot lass
Is the only millionaire.

THE LITTLE KNIGHT IN

GREEN

WHAT fragrant-footed comer
Is stepping o'er my head?
Behold, my queen! the Summer!

Who deems her warriors dead.
Now rise, ye knights of many fights,
From out your sleep profound!

Make sharp your spears, my gallant peers, And prick the frozen ground.

Before the White Host harm her,

We'll hurry to her aid;
We'll don our elfin armor,

And every tiny blade
Shall bear atop a dewy drop,

The life-blood of the frost, Till from their king the order ring: "Fall back! the day is lost."

Now shame to knighthood, brothers !
Must Summer plead in vain ?
And shall I wait till others

My crown of sunshine gain?
Alone this day I'll dare the fray,
Alone the victory win;

In me my queen shall find, I ween,
A sturdy paladin.

To battle! Ho! King Winter
Hath rushed on me apace,
My fragile blade doth splinter
Beneath his icy mace.

I stagger back. I yield - alack!
I fall. My senses pass.

Woe worth the chance for doughtiest lance
Of all the House of Grass !

Last hope my heart gives over.

But hark! a shout of cheer!
Don Daisy and Count Clover,
Sir Buttercup, are here!
Behold! behold! with shield of gold
Prince Dandelion comes.
Lord Bumble-Bee beats valiantly
His rolling battle-drums.

My brothers leave their slumbers
And lead the van of war;
Before our swelling numbers
The foes are driven far.

The day's our own; but, overthrown,
A little Knight in green,

I kiss her feet and deem it sweet
To perish for my queen.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »