Littell's Living Age/Volume 169/Issue 2183/The Promise of Spring

patience! still Spring yet shall all her joyful tasks fulfil. She tarries long, But all is ready; each bird knows his song, Each flower has got by heart Its fair or fragrant part; And given the word, Each bud and bird Will proudly bring the lovely pageant on. Have patience! Sweeter, sweeter far Long-hoped-for treasures are Than any we may have, without such waiting, won.

Almonds will crown With tender pale-pink blossoms branches brown; Whitethorns will prove How sweetly silver may with green be wove. Orchards their snow will throw On daisied lawns below; Spires of soft bloom — Plumes of perfume — Lilacs will lift through Spring's translucid air, Jove will descend to earth again In showers of golden rain, Whilst Danae's heart is won by flowers laburnums bear.

The throstles will From scented choirs such glorious notes distil As if before No lavish birds had scattered Nature's store; The larks her praise will sing As if no other Spring, Till this one, had Made small birds glad. The cuckoos will with such fresh wonder call As though the sands had just begun Through Time's hourglass to run, And earth was holding there the opening carnival.

Nor there alone Her gentle presence to us is made known. Spring comes also To precincts where no birds or blossoms show. Softly she enters in         Amid the roar and din Of the great town That cannot drown The subtle message of her whispering winds, Then young and old, then each and all, 'Neath her enchantment fall, And in a thousand hearts an answering thrill she finds.