THE DAFFODIL. 
19 
I know not whether this blossom be really more short¬ 
lived than its floral companions, but Herrick has ad¬ 
dressed it under that view in lines of much pathos. 
“ Fair daffodils, we weep to see 
You haste away so soon : 
As yet the early-rising sun 
Has not attain’d his noon: 
Stay, stay 
Until the hastening day 
Has run 
But to the even song, 
And, having pray’d together, we 
Will go with you along. 
We have short time to stay, as you, 
We have as short a spring, 
As quick a growth to meet decay 
As you, or any tiling : 
We die 
As your hours do, and dry 
Away 
Like to the summer’s rain, 
Or the pearls of morning dew, 
Ne’er to be found again.” 
This is but a mournful greeting for these gentle but 
courageous harbingers of brighter days. Unless under 
the immediate pressure of sorrow, our first feeling 
generally on beholding them is delight. They rather 
