The Voice of Spring

I AM coming, I am coming

Hark! the little bee is humming;

See, the lark is soaring high

In the blue and sunny sky;

And the gnats are on the wing,

Wheeling round in airy ring.

See, the yellow catkins cover

All the slender willows over!

And on the banks of mossy greed

Starlike primroses are seen;

And, their clustering leaves below,

White and purple violets blow.

Hark! the new-born lambs are bleating,

And the cawing rooks are meeting

In the elms,—a noisy crowd;

All the birds are singing loud;

And the first white butterfly

In the sunshine dances by.

Look around thee, look around!

Flowers in all the fields abound;

Every running stream is bright;

All the orchard trees are white;

And each small and waving shoot

Promises sweet flowers and fruit.

Turn thine eyes to earth and heaven

God for thee the spring has given,

Taught the birds their melodies,

Clothed the earth, and cleared the skies,

For thy pleasure or thy food

Pour thy soul in gratitude.

—MARY HOWITT.

The flowers appear on the earth;

The time of the singing of birds is come.

—Song of Solomon ii. 12.