6 
And he toy’d with the Cowslip and Primrose all day, 
For they represent Childhood —and children love play! 
The goddess with sorrow and cares overcome, 
Flew back to the Fields of Elysium, her home; 
But cares cannot enter a region so fair, 
And they dropp’d one by one as she mounted in air : 
She summon’d her Nymphs to a council of state, 
Around her the Sylphs and Aeriels await, 
Who always are hovering nigh to fulfil 
The task she assigns them, and flee at her will. 
To each and to all is some mission assign’d, 
They are borne thro’ the world, on the wings of the wind; 
They ride on the sunbeams and traverse the earth, 
To guard it from pestilence, famine and dearth ; 
Strewing sweets as they fly, o’er the hill and the dale, 
Planging pearls on the Lily that grows in the vale, 
And painting the gardens, and clothing the trees, 
To those giving colours, and blossoms to these ! 
Some streak the gay Tulip and perfume the Rose, 
Or watch o’er the tender young plant as it grows; 
