VIOLET. 
45 
Of all her train, the hands of Spring 
First plant thee in the watery mold : 
And I have seen thee blossoming 
Beside the snow-bank’s edges cold. 
Thy parent sun, who bade thee view 
Pale skies, and chilling moisture sip, 
Has bathed thee in his own bright hue, 
And streaked with jet thy glowing lip. 
Y t slight thy form, and low thy seat, 
And earthward bent thy gentle eye, 
Unapt the passing view to meet, 
When loftier flowers are flaunting nigh. 
Oft, in the sunless April day, 
Thy early smile has stayed my walk ; 
But ’midst the gorgeous blooms of May, 
I passed thee on thy humble stalk. 
So they, who climb to wealth, forget 
The friends in darker fortunes tried, 
I copied them—but I regret 
That I should ape the ways of pride. 
And when again the genial hour 
Awakes the painted tribes of light, 
I’ll not o’erlook the modest flower 
That made the woods of April bright. 
