And he sang out, "Surely surely,
Lark and thrush are here anon.
I have come along so early
Just to see how things get on.
Lark and thrush are here anon.
I have come along so early
Just to see how things get on.
"Here and there a green leaf's peeping;
Far and near the brooks are heard;
Nature is not dead or sleeping,
Busy she about her word."
Far and near the brooks are heard;
Nature is not dead or sleeping,
Busy she about her word."
Yesterday, upon my honor,
When I thought the spring was cold,
With her royal robes upon her,
Came the crocus through the mould.
When I thought the spring was cold,
With her royal robes upon her,
Came the crocus through the mould.
And she whispered, "Was I dreaming,—
Some one seemed to call my name;
Was it real? was it seeming?
I put on my crown and came.
Some one seemed to call my name;
Was it real? was it seeming?
I put on my crown and came.
III
THE JOY OF LIFEWest wind and sunshine
Braided together;
What is the one sign
But pleasant weather?
Braided together;
What is the one sign
But pleasant weather?
Birds in the cherry trees,
Bees in the clover;
Who half so gay as these
All the world over?
Bees in the clover;
Who half so gay as these
All the world over?
Strawberries in the grass,
Roses regretting
How soon the summer 'll pass,—
Next year forgetting.
Roses regretting
How soon the summer 'll pass,—
Next year forgetting.
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