80 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



Long as there 's a sun that sets, 

 Primroses will have their glory ; 

 Long as there are violets, 

 They will have a place in story : 

 There 's a flower that shall be mine, 

 'Tis the little Celandine. 



Eyes of some men travel far 

 For the finding of a star ; 

 Up and down the heavens they go, 

 Men that keep a mighty rout ! 

 I 'm as great as they, I trow, 

 Since the day I found thee out, 

 Little flower ! I '11 make a stir 

 Like a great astronomer. 



Modest, yet withal an elf, 

 Bold, and lavish of thyself, 

 Since we needs must first have met 

 I have seen thee, high and low, 

 Thirty years or more, and yet 

 'Twas a face I did not know; 

 Thou hast now, go where I may, 

 Fifty greetings in a day. 



Ere a leaf is on a bush, 

 In the time before the thrush 

 Has a thought about its nest, 

 Thou wilt come with half a call, 

 Spreading out thy glossy breast 

 Like a careless prodigal ; 

 Telling tales about the sun, 

 When we 've little warmth, or none. 



Poets, vain men in their mood ! 

 Travel with the multitude ; 

 Never heed them ; 1 aver 

 That they all are wanton wooers ; 

 But the thrifty cottager, 

 Who stirs little out of doors, 

 Joys to spy thee near her home, 

 Spring is coming, thou art come ! 



