'TWIXT COLD AND HEAT. 69 



Conrad, whose verses on the pee-wee have been quoted, 

 calls them " beloved Houstonias " in his " Wissahickon 

 in April," and, referring to this very bank and meadow 

 of Poaetquissings, writes : 



" In other scenes, 

 O'er starry meads they court the sun and gather 

 In loving groups, robed by the breath of Spring 

 In azure-tinted mantles — they so pure, 

 So exquisitely simple in attire. 

 Merit the endearing name of 'Quaker Girls' — 

 On tearful April's bosom none more lovely ; 

 None whose fair multitudinous crowds recall 

 More vividly the idols of our youth. 

 When our free hearts exultantly went forth, 

 Beating beneath the touch of April joys. 

 Born of the illimitable blue and fanned 

 By zephyrs dallying with Viola's breath, 

 And rioting in the freedom of the hours. 

 When the song sparrow's airy notes are blending 

 With the Eolian music of the pines." 



And the end is not yet. In the same ramble that has 

 disclosed all that have been named there may also be 

 gathered bright yellow blossoms of the marsh mari- 

 gold; purple-red bloom of the spotted geranium; jack- 

 in-the-pulpit, grape hyacinth, with flowers as blue as the 

 cloudless sky above them ; Jacob's ladder, and daffodils. 

 Are you not satisfied with these, oh ! lover of plants? 

 Then wander still farther, and if the month be well ad- 

 vanced, you may chance upon rue anemone and wind- 

 flowers; and although 



"climbing columbines 

 In niches of the tall, precipitous rocks, 

 Reserve their banners for victorious May," 



it may chance to be your fortune to find them blowing 



