150 WORDSWORTH AND THE DAISY. 



Loose types of things through all degrees, 



Thoughts of thy raising ; 

 And many a fond and idle name 

 I give to thee, for praise or blame, 

 As is the humour of the game, 



While I am gazing. 



"A nun demure, of lowly port, 

 Or sprightly maiden of Love's court, 

 In thy simplicity the sport 



Of all temptations ; 

 A queen in crown of rubies dress'd ; 

 A starveling in a scanty vest ; 

 Are all, as seem to suit thee best, 



Thy appellations. 



" A little cyclops, with one eye 

 Staring to threaten and defy, 

 That thought comes next ; and instantly 



The freak is over ; 

 The shape will vanish, and, behold ! 

 A silver shield with boss of gold, 

 That spreads itself, some fairy bold 



In fight to cover. 



" I see thee glittering from afar, 

 And there thou art a pretty star ; 

 Not quite so fair as many are 



In heaven above thee ! 

 Yet like a star, with glittering crest, 

 Self-pois'd in air, thou seem'st to rest : 

 May peace come never to his breast 



Who shall reprove thee ! " 



We may add that we know but of four references to the 

 daisy in Shakspeare. In Cymbeline, act iv., scene 2 : 



" Let us 

 Find out the prettiest daisied plot we can." 



