42fl MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



FLOWERS. 



SIGNS OF THE SEASON. 



I broke a spray of willow by the brook, 

 When out a jet of sprightly talk it shook: 

 "Ho! ho! I'll kiss with blossoms silver-sleek 

 That sun-and-wind-browncd cheek !" 



I found an oakling and plucked off his cap, 

 When up he sprang from his old nurse's lap: 

 "Good-morrow and good-morrow, friend, to you; 

 I'm for the sky — adieu !" 



I peered into so many smiling eyes, 

 They met my own with glances blithe and wise; 

 "You need not look o'erhead — we violets show 

 A little heaven below ! " 



I stood beside a shallow meadow pool, 

 I watched the fairy shrimps — a twinkling school: 

 "We children of the sun and moistened clod 

 Come at spring's beck and nod!" 



I started wide awake, and looked about; 

 I heard a flicker from his watch-tower shot — 

 And "quick-quick, quick-quick, quick-quick, 

 quick-quick — quick !" 

 His rousing notes fell thick!" ■ 



I saw a musk-rat high floods could not drown. 

 Now smoothly swimming through the water brown: 

 "I'll build me summer galleries cool and dank 

 Beneath the grassy bank!" 



I turned the turf, when out an earthworm rolled, 

 Uplifting some loose grains of mellowing mold: 

 "I must make haste to stir and break the soil, 

 To help good farmers' toil!" 



