xii 



BIRDS AND FLOWERS. 



"Have you been 

 On a lark to the park? 



Have you seen 

 The fern-fronds first 

 From the brown earth burst? 



Have you eyes 



To surprise 

 The green speckled frog 

 In his native bog? 



Or a will to venture 



The gentle censure 

 Of Robin the sweet 

 In his green retreat? 



Or feet 



To meet 

 The rill 



That leaps a-down the hill? 

 Have you a heart 

 To ease the smart, 

 The ache, the strain 

 Of nerve and brain 



With herbs the field 



Doth yield? 



Then here is my hand 



At your command. 

 Good comrades we 

 Shall be." 



June 15, 1906. 



Frances M. Abbott. 



