Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.
John HartleyTo a Daisy
A
Little daisy!
Pray whativer wor ta doin’?
Are ta crazy?
Winter winds are blowin’ yet.
Tha’ll be starved, mi little pet!
An’ deceive thee?
Niver let appearance charm thee;
Yes, believe me,
Smiles tha ’lt find are oft but snares
Laid to catch thee unawares.
To talk sich stuff;
I ’ve lost heart, an’ thou ’lt do t’ same,
Ay, sooin enough!
An’, if thou ’rt happy as tha art,
Trustin’ must be t’ wisest part.
Round thi dwellin’;
They may cheer thee when I ’ve goan,—
Theer’s no tellin’;
An’ when Spring’s mild day draws near
I ’ll release thee, niver fear!
Greets me smilin’,
I may come an’ sit by th’ place,
Time beguilin’,
Glad to think I ’d paar to be
Of some use if but to thee!