CHAPTER NINE
These fall-time violets seem Like a dream within a dream.
--ANONYMOUS.
O that I were listening under the olives!
So should I hear behind in the woodland The peasants talking. Either a woman, A wrinkled grandame, stands in the sunshine, Stirs the brown soil in an acre of violets-- Large odorous violets--and answers slowly A child"s swift babble; or else at noon The laborers come.
--MARGARET L. WOODS.
The violets meet and disport themselves, Under the trees, by tens and twelves.
--D. CHAUNCEY BREWER.
Shall I tell you what wonderful fancy Built up this palace for me?
It was only a little white violet I found at the root of a tree.
--ADELAIDE PROCTOR.
From the field by the river"s brink, Where violets hid his nest, Soars high with a canticle of the blest The jubilant bobolink.
--FRANCES L. MACE.
Open wide the windows-- The green hills are in sight, Winds are whispering, "Violets!"
And--there"s a daisy white, And the great sun says, "Good morning!"
And the valleys sing delight.
--ANONYMOUS.
Violets, faint with love"s perfume, Lie hid in tall green gra.s.ses.
--MARY E. BLAKE.
The woodbine I will pu" when the e"ening star is near, And the diamond drops o" dew shall be her een sae clear, The violets for modesty which weel she fa"s to wear.
--ROBERT BURNS.
The bright-eyed daisy, the violet sweet, The blushing poppy that nods and trembles In its scarlet hood among the wheat.
--WILLIAM W. STORY.
In meadows bright with violets And Spring"s fair children of the sun.
--TRIPP.
Why do you shiver so, Violet sweet?
Soft is the meadow-gra.s.s Under my feet.
Wrapped in your hood of green, Violet, why Peep from your earth-door So silent and shy?
--LUCY LARCOM.
O day of days! Thy memory Will never fade, nor pa.s.s; Patches of lowly violets Were clouding all the gra.s.s.
--ALICE CARY.
Go, modest little violets, and lie upon her breast; Your eyes will tell her something--perhaps she"ll guess the rest!
--CHARLES HENRY WEBB.
How gentle is the soul that looketh out From violets sweet through dim, blue, tearful eyes, That turns a pleading face to look about And watch the sun"s course through the smiling skies!
--ISAAC Ba.s.sETT CHOATE.
Who beheld it? O, the rare surprise When, like souls upspringing from the sod, Violets unclosed their still blue eyes In the green fair world of G.o.d!
--EMILY S. OAKEY.
Kiss mine eyelids, beauteous Morn, Blushing into life new-born!
Lend me violets for my hair, And thy russet robe to wear!
--OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.
The south wind is like a gentle friend Parting the hair so softly on my brow.
I know it has been trifling with the rose And stooping to the violet.
--NATHANIEL P. WILLIS.
The flowers we know, they move us so, Almost to weep we"re fain; Who heard us say, that fairest day Last spring, "They"re come again, Sweet violets"?
--EMILY S. OAKEY.
I can hear these violets" chorus To the sky"s benediction above; And we all together are lying On the bosom of Infinite Love.
--WILLIAM C. GANNETT.
The modest, lowly violet In leaves of tender green is set, So rich she cannot hide from view, But covers all the bank with blue.
--DORA READ GOODALE.
Here blows the warm red clover, There peeps the violet blue; O happy little children!
G.o.d made them all for you.
--CELIA THAXTER.
I pressed them to my lips for you, Ah me! I know your heart forgets In knowing not, or caring that I pick thee violets.