Page:Flower Fables.djvu/86

76 where on a bed of flower-leaves he folded his wings and fell asleep.

As the first ray of sunlight stole in, he was awakened by sweet music. It was the morning song of the bees.

Awake! awake! for the earliest gleam
 * Of golden sunlight shines

On the rippling waves, that brightly flow
 * Beneath the flowering vines.

Awake! awake! for the low, sweet chant
 * Of the wild-birds' morning hymn

Comes floating by on the fragrant air,
 * Through the forest cool and dim;
 * Then spread each wing,
 * And work, and sing,

Through the long, bright sunny hours;
 * O'er the pleasant earth
 * We journey forth,

For a day among the flowers.

Awake! awake! for the summer wind
 * Hath bidden the blossoms unclose,

Hath opened the violet's soft blue eye,
 * And wakened the sleeping rose.

And lightly they wave on their slender stems
 * Fragrant, and fresh, and fair,

Waiting for us, as we singing come
 * To gather our honey-dew there.
 * Then spread each wing,
 * And work, and sing,