But you are lovely leaves, where we
' May read how soon things have

Their end, though ne'er so brave :
And after they have shown their pride
Like you, awhile, they glide
Into the grave.
R, Herrick



CXL

TO DAFFODILS

Fair Daffodils, we weep to see

You haste away so soon :
As yet the early-rising Sun

Has not attained his noon.
Stay, stay.
Until the hasting day
Has run

But to the even-song ;
And, having prayM together, we

Will go with you along.
We have short time to stay, as you,

We have as short a Spring ;
As quick a growth to meet decay
As you, or any thing.
We die.
As your hours do, and dry

Away
Like to the Summer's rain ;
Or as the pearls of morning's dew
Ne'er to be found again.
R, Herrick



Book



THE GIRL DESCRIBES HER FA WN



With sweetest milk and sugar first

I it at my own fingers nursed ;

And as it grew, so every day

It wax'd more white and sweet than they—

It had so sweet a breath ! and oft

I blushed to see its foot more soft

And white, — shall I say, — than my hand ?

Nay, any lad/s of the land !



It is a wondrous thing how fleet
'Twas on those little silver feet :
With what a pretty skipping grace
It oft would challenge me the race : —
And when *t had left me far away
'Twould stay, and run again, and stay :
For it was nimbler much than hinds,
And trod as if on the four winds.
