XII. FLOWER-GIRL

There's never a delicate nurseling of the year

But our huge _LONDON_ hails it, and delights

To wear it on her breast or at her ear,

Her days to colour and make sweet her nights.

Crocus and daffodil and violet,

Pink, primrose, valley-lily, clove-carnation,

Red rose and white rose, wall-flower, mignonette,

The daisies all--these be her recreation,

Her gaudies these! And forth from _DRURY LANE_,

Trapesing in any of her whirl of weathers,

Her flower-girls foot it, honest and hoarse and vain,

All boot and little shawl and wilted feathers:

Of populous corners right advantage taking,

And, where they squat, endlessly posy-making.

Hawthorn and Lavender, with Other Verses · 第 69 / 82 题