"Wind, you are rough!" said the dainty Bell;
"Leave me alone—I am not well."
The Wind, at the word of the drooping dame,
Sighed to himself and ceased in shame.
"I am hot, so hot!" she moaned and said;
"I am withering up; I wish I was dead!"
Then the Sun he pitied her woeful case,
And drew a thick veil over his face.
"Cloud go away, and don't be rude,"
She said; "I do not see why you should!"
The Cloud withdrew. Then the Harebell cried,
"I am faint, so faint!—and no water beside!"
The Dew came down its millionfold path:
She murmured, "I did not want a bath!"
The Dew went up; the Wind softly crept;
The Night came down, and the Harebell slept.
A boy ran past in the morning gray,
Plucked the Harebell, and threw her away.
The Harebell shivered, and sighed, "Oh! oh!
I am faint indeed! Come, dear Wind, blow."