POEMS

REFERRING TO THE PERIOD OF CHILDHOOD.

VOL. I.

B

I.

My heart leaps up when I behold

A Rainbow in the sky :

So was it when my life began ;
So is it now I am a Man;

So be it when I shall grow old,

Or let me die!

The Child is Father of the Man ; And I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety.

II.

TO A BUTTERFLY.

STAY near me - do not take thy flight!

A little longer stay in sight!

Much converse do I find in Thee,

Historian of my Infancy!

Float near me; do not yet depart!

Dead times revive in thee:

Thou bring'st, gay Creature as thou art!

A solemn image to my heart,

My Father's Family!

Oh! pleasant, pleasant were the days,

The time, when, in our childish plays,
My Sister Emmeline and I

Together chased the Butterfly!
A very hunter did I rush

Upon the prey: - with leaps and springs
I followed on from brake to bush;

But She, God love her! feared to brush The dust from off its wings.

III.

FORESIGHT,

OR THE CHARGE OF A CHILD TO HIS YOUNGER

COMPANION.

THAT is work of waste and ruin

Do as Charles and I are doing!

Strawberry-blossoms, one and all,

We must

them spare

- here are many:

Look at it the Flower is small,

Small and low, though fair as any:

Do not touch it! summers two

I am older, Anne, than you.

Pull the Primrose, Sister Anne !
Pull as many as you can.

Here are Daisies, take your fill;
Pansies, and the Cuckow-flower:

Of the lofty Daffodil

Make your bed, and make your bower;
Fill your lap, and fill your bosom;
Only spare the Strawberry-blossom!