64 PRIMROSE 



How much thy presence beautifies the ground! 

 How sweet thy modest, unaffected pride 

 Glows on the sunny bank, and wood's warm side. 



And where thy fairy flowers in groups are found, 

 The school-boy roams enchantedly along, 



Pluckinr]; the fairest with a rude delijjht : 

 While the meek shepherd stops his simple song, 



To gaze a moment on the pleasing sight ; 

 O'erjoy'd to see the flowers that truly bring 

 The welcome news of sweet returning Spring. 



The Same. — mickle. 



Say, gentle lady of the bower, 

 For thou, though young, art wise i 



And known to thee is every flower 

 Beneath our milder skies : 



Say, which the plant of modest dye, 

 And lovely mien combined. 



That fittest to the pensive eye 

 Displays the virtuous mind. 



I sought the garden's boasted haunt ; 



But on the gay parterre 

 Carnations glow, and tulips flaunt,— 



No humble flow'ret there. 



