Sweet-William.
I know you love the graceful ferns,
The slender maiden-hair;
They seem to suit your style, my Queen,
So innocent and fair.
Titania.
Hepaticas, blue-bells, and buttercups sweet
I will weave a rich carpet to lay at your feet.
And the sweet nodding grasses and dear blushing clover
One day I'll make ready for you to step over;
But the first and the coyest of all the sweet flowers
Is hepatica, favorite of spring's early hours.
Philosopher. Right art thou, Titania. The first and the sweetest flower of spring is the hepatica. (Enter two Guests.) And now methinks we shall hear the reading of the second riddle. Our Guests have returned.
Queen. We are glad to welcome you again. Tell us then, what is the bird that first comes from the south and sings to the north?
First Guest. The woods are full of birds, and how can we tell which came first?
Second Guest. There are sparrows and finches, red-polls, warblers, brown thrushes, and cheery bobolinks. Each one we asked, "Wert thou the first?" and they but cocked their funny little heads one side and warbled sweet notes. How could we tell what they said?
Calla-Lily.
You have to learn bird language
And live among the dears,
And really to know them well
Would take a hundred years.