LESSON 9 The voice of spring

I am coming, little maiden!

With the pleasant sunshine laden,

With the honey for the bee,

With the blossom for the tree,

With the flower and with the leaf:

Till I come, the time is brief.

I am coming, I am coming!

Hark! the little bee is humming;

See! the lark is soaring high

In the bright and sunny sky;

And the gnats are on the wing.

Wheeling round in airy ring.

See! the yellow catkins cover

All the slender willows over;

And on banks of mossy green

Star-like primroses are seen;

And, their clustering leaves below

White and purple violets blow.

Hark! the new-born lambs are bleating;

And the cawing rooks are meeting

In the elms—a noisy crowd!

All the birds are singing loud;

And the first white butterfly

In the sunshine dances by.

Look around thee—look around!

Flowers in all the fields abound;

Every running stream is bright;

All the orchard trees are white,

And each small and waving shoot

Promises sweet flowers and fruit.

Turn thine eyes to earth and heaven!

God for thee the Spring has given;

Taught the birds their melodies,

Clothed the earth, and cleared the skies,

For thy pleasure or thy food:—

Pour thy soul in gratitude?

—Mary Howitt