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Home  »  The World’s Best Poetry  »  Spring

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.

I. Admiration

Spring

Meleager of Gadara (1st Century B.C.)

From the Greek by Andrew Lang

NOW the bright crocus flames, and now

The slim narcissus takes the rain,

And, straying o’er the mountain’s brow,

The daffodillies bud again.

The thousand blossoms wax and wane

On wold, and heath, and fragrant bough,

But fairer than the flowers art thou,

Than any growth of hill or plain.

Ye gardens, cast your leafy crown,

That my Love’s feet may tread it down,

Like lilies on the lilies set;

My Love, whose lips are softer far

Than drowsy poppy petals are,

And sweeter than the violets!