The Zephyr.
I must tell my young reader, in order to explain these lines, that in ancient times, the Greeks used to think that the light summer wind was a sort of goddess, whom they called Zephyr.
“Where have you been to-day?” said I
To a zephyr, as it flew by;
And thus it made reply.
“I have been upon the sea,
Where the waves were full of glee,
And they lov’d to dance with me.
“On the mountain I have strayed,
And with its green leaves played,
’Mid the sunshine and shade.
“I have been in the dell,
Where the wild flowers dwell,
And oh, I loved them well!
“I have been with the brook,
And its laughing ripples shook,
As my kisses they took.
“I have been with the flowers,
In their sweet-scented bowers,
And forgot the flight of hours.
“I have played with the hair
Of a girl, wild and fair—
And I loved to linger there!
“I have been with clouds on high,
As with pinions they do fly,
In many a glorious dye!”