WILD-FLOWER SONNETS. 



ASLEEP. 



"VT O more the Violets lift their dewy eyes, 



No more the Columbine, alert and gay, 

 Tosses her graceful head in airy play, 

 No more the Mayflower plans her sweet surprise. 

 No " hide-and-seek " with shy Linnaea now, 

 No " hunt-the-Lady's Slipper," in the wood, 

 No glad " I spy," in merry Autumn mood, 

 With blue-eyed Gentian. Low their heads they bow, 

 Tired with the frolic of their gladsome day; 

 Cradled upon their nurse's ample breast, 

 The brown old Earth, who hushes them to rest 

 With tales of gnome and dryad, nymph and fay; 

 While Mother Nature comes, in love, to throw 

 O'er all the soft, white comfort of the snow. 

 JANUARY. 



34 



