He to a Fellow-lodger's care
Had left it, to be watch'd and fed,

Till he came back again; and there
I found it when my Son was dead;

And now, God help me for my little wit!

I trail it with me, Sir! he took so much delight

in it."

TO THE SMALL CELANDINE*.

Pansies, Lilies, Kingcups, Daisies,
Let them live upon their praises;
Long as there's a sun that sets
Primroses will have their glory;

Long as there are Violets,

They will have a place in story:
There's a flower that shall be mine,

'Tis the little Celandine.

*Common Pilewort.

Eyes of some men travel far
For the finding of a star;

Up and down the heavens they go,
Men that keep a mighty rout!

I'm as great as they, I trow,

Since the day I found thee out,
Little flower!-I'll make a stir

Like a great Astronomer.

Modest, yet withal an Elf
Bold, and lavish of thyself,

Since we needs must first have met

I have seen thee, high and low,

Thirty years or more, and yet

'Twas a face I did not know;

Thou hast now, go

where I

may,

Fifty greetings in a day.

Ere a leaf is on a bush,

In the time before the Thrush

Has a thought about it's nest,
Thou wilt come with half a call,
Spreading out thy glossy breast
Like a careless Prodigal ;

Telling tales about the sun,

When we've little warmth, or none.

Poets, vain men in their mood!

Travel with the multitude;

Never heed them; I aver

That they all are wanton Wooers;

But the thrifty Cottager,

Who stirs little out of doors,

Joys to spy thee near her home,

Spring is coming, Thou art come!

Comfort have thou of thy merit,
Kindly, unassuming Spirit!
Careless of thy neighbourhood,
Thou dost shew thy pleasant face.
On the moor, and in the wood,
In the lane-there's not a place,
Howsoever mean it be,

But 'tis good enough for thee.

They have done as worldlings do, Taken praise that should be thine, Little, humble Celandine!

VOL. 1.