II. SNOWDROP.
(In Time of War.)
An old name for the Snowdrop was ‘Fair Maid of
February,’ in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary; the Feast
of the Purification, otherwise called Candlemas Day, falling
on the second of this month.
Fair Maid of February—drop of snow
Enchanted to a flow'r, and therewithin
A dream of April's green—who without sin
Conceived wast, but how no man may know;
I would thou mightest, being of heavenly kin,
Pray for us all (thy lips are pure, altho'
The soil be soak'd with tears and blood), to win
Some ruth for human folly, guilt and woe.
A flitting phantasy and fond conceit!
Yet mark this little white-green bell, three-cleft,
Nor say of miracles the Earth's bereft.
Lo, for our comfort, here is one complete:
And after this the whole new spring-time left,
And all the roses that make summer sweet.
