INTY, MINTY.
"Inty, minty,
Cutey, corn!
Apple-seed,
Apple-thorn!
Wire, brier,
Limber lock;
Seven geese
In a flock,
Sit and sing, by the spring;
O-u-t, out, and in again."
Inklings and meanings,
Sprinklings and gleanings,
Shimmers and glints.
That's how the light comes
Down from the sides;
That's how the beauty
Is born to our eyes.
The seed is within,
And the thorn is without:
Nature's sweet secret
Is guarded about.
Yet briers are slender,
Locks are but slight,
To touch of a genius
That searches with light.
White by the fountain
Sit the calm seven;
Unto their joyance
Its music is given.
The world looketh on,
And still wonders in vain,
As they go out and in,
And find pasture again.