THE CHILDREN'S GARLAND I THE CHILD AND THE PIPER IPING down the valleys wild, PIPING Piping songs of pleasant glee, And he, laughing, said to me, 'Pipe a song about a lamb,' 'Drop thy pipe, thy happy pipe, Sing thy songs of happy cheer.' While he wept with joy to hear. 'Piper, sit thee down and write In a book that all may read.' And I made a rural pen, And I stain'd the water clear, Every child may joy to hear. II W. Blake N ON MAY MORNING [OW the bright morning star, day's harbinger, Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her The flow'ry May, who from her green lap throws The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose. Hail, bounteous May, that doth inspire Mirth and youth and warm desire! Woods and groves are of thy dressing, Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing. Thus we salute thee with our early song, And welcome thee, and wish thee long. III J. Milton THE APPROACH OF THE FAIRIES Ν No OW the hungry lion roars, And the wolf behowls the moon ; Whilst the heavy ploughman snores, All with weary task foredone. Now the wasted brands do glow, Whilst the scritch owl, scritching loud, Puts the wretch that lies in woe That the graves, all gaping wide, By the triple Hecate's team, Through the house give glimmering light; By the dead and drowsy fire, Every elf and fairy sprite Hop as light as bird from brier; Sing and dance it trippingly. IV ANSWER TO A CHILD'S QUESTION D° O you ask what the birds say? The sparrow, The linnet, and thrush say 'I love, and I love!' weather, And singing and loving all come back together. I S. T. Coleridge THE BROOK COME from haunts of coot and hern, I make a sudden sally, And sparkle out among the fern, To bicker down a valley. By thirty hills I hurry down, |