298 POPULAR TALES OF FLOWERS 
THE STORY OF TIME AND THE FLOWERS. 
Childhood. 
Sister, arise, the sun shines bright. 
The bee is humming in the air. 
The stream is singing in the light. 
The May-buds never looked more fair ; 
Blue is the sky, no rain to-day: 
Get up, it has been light for hours. 
And we have not begun to play. 
Nor have we gather’d any flowers. 
Time, who look’d on, each accent caught. 
And said, “ He is too young for thought.” 
Youth. 
To-night beside the garden-gate? 
Oh, what a while the night is coming ! 
I never saw the sun so late. 
Nor heard the bee at this time humming ! 
I thought the flowers an hour ago 
Had closed their bells and sunk to rest : 
How slowly flies that hooded crow ! 
Flow light it is along the west ! 
Said Time, “ He yet hath to be taught 
That I oft move too quick for thought.” 
Manhood. 
What thoughts wouldst thou in me awaken 1 
Not Love ? for that brings only tears — 
Nor Friendship? no, I was forsaken! 
Pleasure I have not known for years : 
The future I would not foresee ; 
I know too much from what is past ; 
No happiness is there for me, 
And troubles ever come too fast. 
Said Time, “ No comfort have I brought; 
The past to him’s one painful thought.” 
