Out of doors are signs of spring. The buds on the trees look full, and some are beginning to burst. But there is very little life as yet.
Only in the hyacinth bed it is different, for there the hyacinths have waked up; their stiff leaves have opened the door of the earth for the blossoms to come out. The flower clusters are nearly ready to bloom, but the buds are still green. The tall stem has lifted them up into the air and sunlight, and, although the air is still cold, they continue to grow.
Soon the green buds undergo a change. The topmost one on each flower cluster softens to a tender blue or pink.
The green buds grow lovely as they stand on their stems in the sun. Delicate tints steal over them, the green color fades away, and many colors take its place.
They open into charming flowers and give forth a delightful fragrance. The whole garden is sweet with the odor of hyacinths, and we feel that the beautiful summer has sent us a messenger.
THE HYACINTH’S SCEPTRE.
Kings bear a sceptre, and so do I.