CHILDREN AND FLOWERS. 107 



But even while acknowledging this, our thoughts 

 will revert regretfully to the sweet memories of 

 early days, and we cannot help saying to the 

 child : 



"Linger yet upon the hour, 

 Of the green leaf and the flower; 

 Art thou happy ? For thy sake 

 Do the birds their music make 

 Birds with golden plumes, that bring 

 Sunshine from a distant spring, 

 For thine eyes the roses grow 

 Red as sunset, white as snow, 

 And the bees are gathering gold 

 Ere the winter hours come cold. 

 Flowers are colouring the wild-wood, 

 Art thou weary of thy childhood ? 

 Break not its enchanted reign, 

 Such, life never knotc* again." L. K. L. 



