18. HEPATICA. 



A \T HEN April awakens the blossom folk, 



" And bluebirds are on the wing, 

 Hepatica muffled in downy cloak, 

 Hastens to greet the spring. 



Careless of cold when the northwind blows, 

 Glad when the sun shines down, 



She opens her wrap, and smiling, shows 

 Her dainty lavender gown. 



Her sisters are robed in pink, and some 



Are in royal purple dressed, 

 And over the hills and fields they come, 



To welcome the darling guest. 



The children laugh as they pick the flowers, 



And the happy robins sing ; 

 For, blooming in chill and leafless bowers, 



Hepatica means the spring. 



ANNA PRATT. 



