SPRING NATURE STUDY. 565 



Soon red will bud the maple trees, 



The blue birds will be singing, 

 And yellow tassels in the breeze 



Be from the poplars swinging, 

 And rosy will the mayflower be 



Upon its mossy pillow. 

 But you must come the first of all, 

 * Come Pussy ! ' is the south wind's call, 

 * Come Pussy ! Pussy Willow ! ' 



A fairy gift to children dear, 

 The downy firstling of the year, 

 4 Come Pussy ! Pussy Willow I ' " 



WAKING UP. 



Millions of cradles up in the trees 

 Rock to and fro in the gentle breeze ; 

 Tucked in these bud-cradles snug and warm 

 The little green leaves sleep, safe from harm. 



April sings low as she passes by, 

 * Dear little leaves the summer is nigh ; 

 Open your eyes, from your cradles creep, 

 Wake up, little leaves, wake up from sleep 1 f 



Millions of leaves from their cradle-beds 

 Slowly and timidly raise their heads ; 

 They see the sun, and they love it so 

 They back no more to their cradles go. 



Stronger and stronger they grow each hour, 

 Bathing in sunshine and soft spring shower ; 

 They stretch themselves out on every side, 

 Saying, 4 Dear me ! but this world is wide.' 



They gaze and gaze on the deep blue sky, 

 They watch the white clouds go sailing by, 

 The winds sing songs till for very glee 

 The leaves are dancing on every tree. " 



