The Youth's Companion/July 19, 1860/The Primrose

The Primrose.

The early yellow primrose,
With broad and open face,
Springs up, all bright and cheerful,
In many a barren place!
While grander flowers are waiting
Till warmer days appear,
The primrose comes forth gladly,
The passer by to cheer.

In garden or on roadside,
It smiles alike on all;
It pines for no high station,
Contented to be small;
Nor does it ever murmur,
Because unknown to fame;
Admired, or disregarded,
It blooms on just the same.

Dear little child, wherever
Your happy home is found,
Be like the cheerful primrose,
And gladden all around:
Stay not for happier seasons,
Your virtues to display;
But put forth all your efforts,
In doing good to-day.

Nor wealth, nor power, nor talent,
Nor rank, you call your own;
But none, however humble,
Should live for self alone;
Fix on some deed of kindness,
And now at once begin it,
And let the world look brighter
Because you’re living in it.

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