HEPATICA 



" Most welcome, while the meagre East 

 Rebuffs the Spring, is thy brave face. 

 Dear nursling of the Alps, and least 

 Of all the windflower race. 



" Ere crocus-blades defend their gold, 

 Or woods are with thy kinsfolk white, 

 Thou beckonest thy comrades bold. 

 Snowdrop and Aconite. 



" Not Winter's tyranny can blanch 



Thy cheek, or bruise thy buds of silk ; 

 Hast thou not heard the avalanche 

 And quaffed the glacier-milk ? 



" So to his face thou dost profess 



Thy faith in Spring, and dost outrun 

 Thy very leaves in eagerness 

 To hail the insurgent sun. " 



Alfked Hayes in The Cup of Quietness. 





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