Prophet of delight and mirth,
Scorn'd and slighted upon earth!
Herald of a mighty band,

Of a joyous train ensuing,

Singing at my heart's command,
In the lanes my thoughts pursuing,
I will sing, as doth behove,
Hymns in praise of what I love!

TO THE SAME FLOWER.

Pleasures newly found are sweet
When they lie about our feet:
February last my heart

First at sight of thee was glad;

All unheard of as thou art,

Thou must needs, I think, have had,

Celandine! and long ago,

Praise of which I nothing know.

I have not a doubt but he,

Whosoe'er the man might be,
Who the first with pointed rays,
(Workman worthy to be sainted)
Set the Sign-board in a blaze,
When the risen sun he painted,
Took the fancy from a glance
At thy glittering countenance.

Soon as gentle breezes bring
News of winter's vanishing,

And the children build their bowers,
Sticking 'kerchief-plots of mold

All about with full-blown flowers,

Thick as sheep in shepherd's fold! With the proudest Thou art there, Mantling in the tiny square.

Often have I sigh'd to measure
By myself a lonely pleasure,
Sigh'd to think, I read a book
Only read perhaps by me;
Yet I long could overlook

Thy bright coronet and Thee,

And thy arch and wily ways,

And thy store of other praise.

Blithe of heart, from week to week

Thou dost play at hide-and-seek;

While the patient Primrose sits

Like a Beggar in the cold,

Thou, a Flower of wiser wits,
Slipp'st into thy shelter'd hold;

Bright as any of the train

When ye all are out again.

Thou art not beyond the moon, But a thing "beneath our shoon;"

Let, as old Magellen did,

Others roam about the sea;

Build who will a pyramid;

Praise it is enough for me,

If there be but three or four

Who will love my little Flower.