Part 8 (1/2)

Come, pretty violet, Winter's away: Come, for without you May isn't May.

Now all is beautiful Under the sky.

May's here--and violets!

Winter, good-bye!

--LUCY LARCOM.

Fair-handed Spring unbosoms every grace, Throws out the snow-drop and the crocus first, The daisy, primrose, violet darkly blue.

--JAMES THOMSON.

While May bedecks the naked trees With ta.s.sels and embroideries, And many blue-eyed violets beam Along the edges of the stream.

--HENRY VAN d.y.k.e.

The country ever has a lagging spring, Waiting for May to call its violets forth, And June its roses.

--WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.

And in the meadows soft, on either hand, Blossomed white parsley and the violet.

--HOMER.

Welcome, maids of honor, You do bring In the Spring, And wait upon her.

She has virgins many Fresh and fair, Yet you are More sweet than any.

Ye are the maiden posies And so graced To be placed 'Fore damask roses.

--ROBERT HERRICK.

Tute le barche parte via sta note, E quela del mio ben doman de note; Tute le barche cargara de tole, E quela del mio ben de rose e viole.

--VENETIAN SONG.

CHAPTER SIX

Better to smell the violet cool, Than sip the glowing wine.

--GEORGE MACDONALD.

CHAPTER SIX

Wooed by the June day's fervent breath, Violets opened their violet eyes.

--LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON.

The wind, that poet of the elements, Tonight comes whistling down our tropic lanes, And wakes the slumbrous hours with sweet refrains.