I called to the robin, "Come back!
Come up from the south and sing!"
And robin sailed up on an airy track,
And smoothed down his feathers and oiled his wing.
And the notes came gushing, gurgling, rushing,
In thrills and quavers, clear, mellow and strong,
Till the glad air quivered and rang with song.
I said to the orchard, "Blow!"
I said to the meadow, "Bloom!"
And the trees stood white, like brides in a row,
And the breeze was laden with rare perfume.
And over the meadows, in lights and shadows,
The daisies white and violets blue,
And yellow-haired buttercups blossomed and grew.
I called to a hope, that died
With the death of the flowers and grass,
"Come back! for the river is free to glide--
The robin sings, and the daisies bloom." Alas!
For the hope I cherished too rudely perished
To ever awaken and live again,
Though a hundred summers creep over the plain.
[THE BELLE'S SOLILOQUY.]
Heigh ho! well, the season's over!
Once again we've come to Lent!
Programme's changed from balls and parties--
Now we're ordered to repent.
Forty days of self-denial!
Tell you what I think it pays--
Know't'l freshen my complexion
Going slow for forty days.
No more savory Frenchy suppers--
Such as Madame R-- can give.
Well, I need a littlethinning
Just a trifle--sure's you live!
Sometimes been afraid my plumpness
Might grow into downright fat.
Rector urges need of fasting--
Think there's lot of truth in that.
We must meditate, he tells us,
On our several acts of sin.
And repent them. Let me see now--
Whereabouts shall I begin!
Flirting--yes, they say 'tis wicked;
Well, I'm awful penitent.
(Wonder if my handsome major
Goes to early Mass through Lent?)
Love of dress! I'm guilty there, too--
Guess it's my besetting sin.
Still I'm somewhat like the lilies,
For I neither toil nor spin.
Forty days I'!! wear my plainest--
Could repentance be more true?
What a saving on my dresses!
They'll make over just like new.
Pride, and worldliness and all that,
Rector bade us pray about
Every day through Lenten season,
And I mean to be devout!
Papa always talks retrenchment--
Lent is just the very thing.
Hope he'!! get enough in pocket
So we'!! move up town next spring.