128 BUSH DAYS 



his subjugation is complete, and he is bound hard and fast 

 by the fascination of the lady in the " frock of Lincoln green." 

 Her very name is full of charm. Shakespeare told us that 

 a rose might change her name and be as sweet, but he knew 

 that there was no other word could half describe the beauty of 

 the 



" Daffodils 



That come before the swallow dares, and take 

 The winds of March with beauty." 



Herrick knew it, too, and Spenser and Drayton and AYords- 

 worth, and all the poets and lovers that have ever been. 

 *' Daff-o-dil !" It is as softly sweet as the ringing of the 

 flower's own golden bell. It is as full of grace and stateliness 

 as rose or dahlia, yet can be as lovable and intimate as a daisy 

 in its homely guise of " daff-a-down-dilly/' 



Soon the flowers will be with us in myriads, and our eyes 

 will feast upon them in masses in the flower-sellers' baskets, 

 or in golden clumps, 



" Beneath the trees 

 Fluttering and dancing in the breeze." 



But, though our hearts will rejoice in their beauty, and our 

 arms will be greedy to embrace them, there will never again 

 be just the same delicious joy that we felt when the silken 

 sheath gave way, and the golden trumpet of our first daffodil 

 sounded the opening note of the spring song. 



