And breath of spangled flowers! Then tarry not

To cull the earliest benefits of May,

Before the sun with scorching touch profane

Have marred their virgin beauties. Life is brief—

Too brief to loiter in the chamber’s gloom,

When thou mayest greet the glorious morning’s pride

In the bright vale, or on the mountain’s side!

MY FIRST BORN.

THE HOUR OF HER BIRTH.

Was’t not a cry of pleasure