 | The Cup of Quietness |  |
27
HEPATICA
Most welcome, while the meagre East
Rebuffs the Spring, is thy brave face,
Dear nursling of the Alps, and least
Of all the windflower race.
Rebuffs the Spring, is thy brave face,
Dear nursling of the Alps, and least
Of all the windflower race.
Ere crocus-blades defend their gold,
Or woods are with thy kinsfolk white,
Thou beckonest thy comrades bold,
Snowdrop and aconite.
Or woods are with thy kinsfolk white,
Thou beckonest thy comrades bold,
Snowdrop and aconite.
Not Winter's tyranny can blanch
Thy cheek, or bruise thy buds of silk;—
Hast thou not heard the avalanche,
And quaffed the glacier-milk?
Thy cheek, or bruise thy buds of silk;—
Hast thou not heard the avalanche,
And quaffed the glacier-milk?
So to his face thou dost profess
Thy faith in Spring, and dost outrun
Thy very leaves in eagerness
To hail the insurgent sun.
Thy faith in Spring, and dost outrun
Thy very leaves in eagerness
To hail the insurgent sun.
| The Cup of Quietness | |