 | The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay |  |
THE PRIMROSE.
[The common field primrose, that grows in such beautiful luxuriance in the meadows and green lanes in the British Isles, is unknown in America and Australia—or only cultivated in conservatories or hot-houses. Two years ago, it was reported in a Melbourne newspaper, that an English primrose had been imported in a wardian case, and would be brought on shore from a ship in the harbour, to be exhibited in the city. The announcement excited a great sensation. Upwards of three thousand people turned out into the streets to see the flower brought ashore, and the pressure of the crowd was so great that it was found necessary to call out the police to preserve order, and to make a line through which the Primrose might be escorted on shore, to be seen of all her admirers.]
I
She comes!—make way, ye people!Stand reverently aside;
She comes!—the gentle traveller,
In purity and pride;
Shower welcomes fair upon her,
To show befitting honour;
And give her love and homage
From hearts and kindling eyes;
And believe her, and receive her
With a thousand sympathics.
II
She has cross'd the stormy ocean,A pilgrim, to our shore;
As fresh as Youth and Beauty,
And dear as days of yore.
Stand back! for she is tender,
And delicate, and slender;
And a rude, too boisterous greeting,
Well meant although it be,
Might endanger our sweet stranger,
From the land beyond the sea.
III
Oh! the love that she awakens,And the smiles twin-born with tears,
That her pleasant face up-summons
From the depths of other years!
When we were blithe and youthful,
And fresh of heart and truthful,
And roam'd by rimpling rivers,
And woodland pastures wild,
To meet her, and to greet her,
In the valleys where she smiled.
IV
How often, in life's morning,When none but she was nigh,
And the blithe free lark above us,
Sprinkling music from the sky,
Beside the stile we've waited,
Until evening hours belated,
To breathe the youthful passion,
That was bold as well as coy,
To some maiden, love-beladen,
Full of innocence and joy.
V
How often, in life's noontime,When our boys and girls were young,
We have taken them to meadows,
Where the early blossoms sprung,
In that well-beloved far-land;
And wove them many a garland
And primrose blushing fair,
And entwined them, and enshrined them,
'Mid the clusters of their hair!
VI
Stand back, ye joyous people!—Ye shall see her, every one;
Ye shall see her, but not touch her—
Where we place her in the sun!
She shall smile on you serenely,
And fairy-like and queenly;
And pour upon your spirits,
Like the dew from Heaven's own dome,
The feelings and revealings,
And memories of home!
| The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay | |