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I.

My heart leaps up when I behold

A Rainbow in the sky:

So was it when my life began;

So is it now I am a Man';

So be it when I shall grow old,

Or let me die!

The Child is Father of the Man; And I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety.

II.

TO A BUTTERFLY.

STAY near me do not take thy flight!

A little longer stay in sight!

Much converse do I find in Thee,

Historian of my Infancy!

Float near me; do not yet depart!

Dead times revive in thee:

Thou bring'st, gay Creature as thou art!

A solemn image to my heart,

My Father's Family!

Oh! pleasant, pleasant were the days,
The time, when in our childish plays,
My Sister Emmeline and I

Together chased the Butterfly!
A very hunter did I rush

Upon the prey:-with leaps and springs
I followed on from brake to bush;

But She, God love her! feared to brush The dust from off its wings.

III.

FORESIGHT,

Or the Charge of a Child to his younger Companion.

THAT is work of waste and ruin

Do as Charles and I are doing!
Strawberry-blossoms, one and all,
We must spare them-here are many:
Look at it-the Flower is small,

Small and low, though fair as any:

Do not touch it! summers two

I am older, Anne, than you.

Pull the Primrose, Sister Anne!

Pull as many as you can.

-Here are Daisies, take your fill;

Pansies, and the Cuckow-flower:

Of the lofty Daffodil

Make your bed, and make your bower;
Fill your lap, and fill your bosom;
Only spare the Strawberry-blossom!

Primroses, the Spring may love them—

Summer knows but little of them:

Violets, a barren kind,

Withered on the ground must lię;

Daisies leave no fruit behind

When the pretty flowerets die;
Pluck them, and another year
As many will be blowing here.

God has given a kindlier power
To the favoured Strawberry-flower.
When the months of spring are fled
Hither let us bend our walk;
Lurking berries, ripe and red,
Then will hang on every stalk,
Each within its leafy bower;

And for that promise spare the flower!

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