University of Virginia Library

The Whiteweed

Swept by every passing breeze,
See the meadow fall and rise!
See its green waves, sprinkled o'er
With the whiteweed's starry eyes!
Gay they bend as in a dance,
Up and down a thousand ways;
So I've watched them many an hour,
In my bygone childhood's days.
Still I watch them, as of old,
With an ever new delight;
Following still their mazy dance,
Ever changing to the sight.
For of grace and beauty still
Do they now as ever teach;
Vain are fancy's feeble powers
Nature's perfect forms to reach.
Poem No. 451; June 1867