John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892). The Poetical Works in Four Volumes. 1892.
Poems of NatureThe First Flowers
F
These tassels in their tawny bloom,
And willowy studs of downy silver,
Have prophesied of Spring to come.
Smiled on them from their pebbly hem,
And the clear carol of the robin
And song of bluebird welcomed them.
Or song of early bird, have they
Been greeted with a gladder welcome
Than whispers from my heart to-day.
The weary watch of sleepless pain;
And from my heart, as from the river,
The ice of winter melts again.
Of Freya’s footsteps drawing near;
Almost, as in the rune of Asgard,
The growing of the grass I hear.
From ceilëd room and silent books,
To see the dance of woodland shadows,
And hear the song of April brooks!
Of Odenwald live bird and tree,
Together live in bloom and music,
I blend in song thy flowers and thee.
The dint of rain and small bird’s track:
Who knows but that my idle verses
May leave some trace by Merrimac!
Of the young earth is sought in vain;
The cloud is gone that wove the sandstone,
From God’s design, with threads of rain!
Shall stiffen round my careless rhyme,
Who made the vagrant tracks may puzzle
The savants of the coming time;
Some idly-curious hand may draw
My doubtful portraiture, as Cuvier
Drew fish and bird from fin and claw.
Singing my words to breeze and stream,
Shall wonder if the old-time Mary
Were real, or the rhymer’s dream!