COWSLIP. 69 



ON FINDING AN EARLY COWSLIP. 



ANON. 



It is the same ! it is the^ very scent — 



That bland, yet luscious, meadow-breathing sweet 



Which I remember when my childish feet, 



With a new life's rejoicing spirit, went 



Through the deep grass with wild flow'rs richly blent, 



That smiled to high Heav'n from their verdant seat, 



But it brings not to thee such joy complete : 



Thou canst not see, as I do, how we spent 



In blessedness, in sunshine, and in flowers. 



The beautiful noon; and then, how, seated" round 



The odorous pile, upon the shaded ground, 



A boyish group — we laugh'd away the hours, 



Plucking the yellow blooms for future wine, 



While o'er us play'd a mother's smile divine. 



COWSLIPS. 



HOWITT. 



Oh ! fragrant dwellers of the lea, 

 When first the wild wood rings 

 With each sound of vernal minstrelsy, 

 When fresh the green grass springs! 



What can the blessed Spring restore 

 More gladdening than your charms ? 

 Bringing the memory once more 

 Of lovely fields and farms ! 



