Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection)/The Mayflower
THE MAYFLOWER
A beautiful floweret was sleeping Down deep 'neath the grasses and snow;The chains of the winter were keeping Its color and fragrance below.
But springtime, with softest of breezes, With laughing and smiling all day,Soon shamed the dark season that freezes, And melted the snowdrops away.
Then down came a cold April shower, And dashing the floweret with spray,It parted the folds of her bower, And showed her the light of the day.
Oh, sweetly then smiled the fair sleeper, And op'ning her eyes to the light,Her beauties grew wider and deeper, The smile on her face grew more bright.
Our sorrows are falling like snowflakes, Our pleasures are melting like snow;Kind nature ne'er thinks of our heart-aches; A flower is sleeping below.
She melts us with showers of trouble, (For life hath its seasons of rain);Our tears are the fountains that bubble In deserts of sorrow and pain.
She rouses the soul that is sleeping With showers so chilling and cold;New treasures she gives to its keeping; The beautiful petals unfold.