Sweet nurslings of the vernal skies,

Bath’d in soft airs, and fed with dew,

What more than magic in you lies,

To fill the heart’s fond view?

In childhood’s sports, companions gay,

In sorrow, on Life’s downward way,

How soothing! in our last decay

Memorials prompt and true.

Relics ye are of Eden’s bowers,

As pure, as fragrant, and as fair,

As when ye crown’d the sunshine hours

Of happy wanderers there.

Fall’n all beside — the world of life,

How is it stain’d with fear and strife!

In Reason’s world what storms are rife,

What passions range and glare!

But cheerful and unchang’d the while

Your first and perfect form ye show,

The same that won Eve’s matron smile

In the world’s opening glow.

The stars of heaven a course are taught

Too high above our human thought:

Ye may be found if ye are sought,

And as we gaze, we know.

Ye dwell beside our paths and homes,

Our paths of sin, our homes of sorrow,

And guilty man where’er he roams,

Your innocent mirth may borrow.

The birds of air before us fleet,

They cannot brook our shame to meet —

But we may taste your solace sweet

And come again to-morrow.

Ye fearless in your nests abide —

Nor may we scorn, too proudly wise,

Your silent lessons, undescried

By all but lowly eyes:

For ye could draw th’ admiring gaze

Of Him who worlds and hearts surveys:

Your order wild, your fragrant maze,

He taught us how to prize.

Ye felt your Maker’s smile that hour,

As when He paus’d and own’d you good;

His blessing on earth’s primal bower,

Ye felt it all renew’d.

What care ye now, if winter’s storm

Sweep ruthless o’er each silken form?

Christ’s blessing at your heart is warm,

Ye fear no vexing mood.

Alas! of thousand bosoms kind,

That daily court you and caress,

How few the happy secret find

Of your calm loveliness!

“Live for to-day! to-morrow’s light

To-morrow’s cares shall bring to sight,

Go sleep like closing flowers at night,

And Heaven thy morn will bless.”