" Thou little bird, how canst thou thus rejoice, 

 As if the world had known nor sin nor curse ? 



God never meant to mock us with that voice I 

 That is the key-note of the universe. 



That song of perfect trust, of perfect cheer, 



Courageous, constant, free of doubt or fear. 



" My little helper, ah, my comrade sweet, 

 My old companion in that far-off time 



When on life's threshold childhood's wingfed feet 

 Danced in the sunrise I Joy was at its prime 



When all ray heart responded to thy song, 



Unconscious of earth's discords harsh and strong. 



" And slowly all my sOul with comfort fills. 

 And the old hope revives and courage grows ; 



Up the deserted shore a fresh tide thrills, 

 And like a dream the dark mood melts and goes, 



And with thy joy again will I rejoice ; 



God never meant to mock us with that voice ! " 



The warm sun brings warm hues. 



" When dafJodils begin to peer 

 With heigh, the doxy over the dale, 

 Why then comes in the sweet o' the year," 



and with it banks of yellow blooms. 



While the more stately garden flowers 

 have been storied and sung by poets of 

 great and lesser degree, the humble 

 firstlings of the year have not been with- 

 out their admirers. The greatest poet 

 8 



