CA

I.

My heart leaps up when I behold

A Rainbow in the sky :

So was it when my life began ;
So is it now I am a Man;

So be it when I shall grow old,

Or let me die!

The Child is Father of the Man; And I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety.

II.

TO A BUTTERFLY.

STAY near me - do not take thy flight!

A little longer stay in sight!

Much converse do I find in Thee,

Historian of my Infancy!

Float near me; do not yet depart!

Dead times revive in thee:

Thou bring'st, gay Creature as thou art!

A solemn image to my heart,

My Father's Family!

Oh! pleasant, pleasant were the days,

The time, when, in our childish plays,
My Sister Emmeline and I

Together chased the Butterfly!

A very hunter did I rush

Upon the prey: - with leaps and springs I followed on from brake to bush;

But She, God love her! feared to brush The dust from off its wings.

III.

FORESIGHT,

OR THE CHARGE OF A CHILD TO HIS YOUNGER

COMPANION.

THAT is work of waste and ruin

Do as Charles and I are doing!
Strawberry-blossoms, one and all,

We must spare them - here are many:

Look at it the Flower is small,

Small and low, though fair as any:

Do not touch it! summers two

I am older, Anne, than you.

Pull the Primrose, Sister Anne !

Pull as many as you can.

Here are Daisies, take

your

fill;

Pansies, and the Cuckow-flower:

Of the lofty Daffodil

Make your bed, and make your bower;
Fill
your lap, and fill your bosom;

Only spare the Strawberry-blossom!

Primroses, the Spring may love them—

Summer knows but little of them:

Violets, a barren kind,

Withered on the ground must lie;

Daisies leave no fruit behind

When the pretty flowerets die;
Pluck them, and another year
As many will be blowing here.

God has given a kindlier power
To the favoured Strawberry-flower.
When the months of Spring are fled
Hither let us bend our walk;
Lurking berries, ripe and red,
Then will hang on every stalk,
Each within its leafy bower;

And for that promise spare the flower!