The Violet Book Part 13

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 suns.h.i.+ne, 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 blus.h.i.+ng 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 s.h.i.+ver 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, Blus.h.i.+ng 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.