The Violet

ON the mead a violet stood,

Retiring, and of modest mood,

In truth, a violet fair.

Then came a youthful shepherdess,

And roam'd with sprightly joyousness,

And blithely

With carols sweet the air"Ah!" thought the violet, "had I

For but the smallest moment

Nature's most beauteous flower,'Till gather'd by my love, and press'd,

When weary, 'gainst her gentle breast,

For e'en, for

One quarter of an hour!"Alas! alas! the maid drew nigh,

The violet failed to meet her eye,

She crush'd the violet sweet.

It sank and died, yet murmur'd not:"And if I die, oh, happy lot,

For her I die,

And at her very feet!"