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XIII.IMPERFECTION.

All in the spring,
When little birds sing,
And flowers do talk
From stalk to stalk;
Whispering to a silver shower,
A violet did boast to be
Of every flower the fairest flower
That blows by lawn or lea.
But a rose that blew thereby
Answer'd her reproachfully
(All in the spring,
When little birds sing,
And flowers do talk
From stalk to stalk):
“Violet, I marvel me
Of fairest flower by lawn or lea
The fairest thou should'st boast to be;
For one small defect I spy,
Should make thee speak more modestly:
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Thy face is fashion'd tenderly,
But then it hangs awry.”
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