TO A LITTLE CHILD WHO ASKED EOR A LAUREL CROWN (2).

[ZaunköniG]

TO A LITTLE CHILD WHO ASKED EOR A LAUREL CROWN.

The laurels with their heritage of light,
So thickly planted in our garden-ground,
Like thee, in winter time make all things bright,
And strike each other with a cheery sound.
Well, then ! Of these a garland shall be made
Just for the nonce, for they are fresh and green ;
But soon a gayer coronal I'll braid,
When Summer comes to match thy merry mien :
Woodbine and jessamine shall then enclose
Thy fair young head, well woven with choicest art ;
And many a sprig of verdure interpose.
And pinks and rich carnations bear their part,
White lilies, and the hollow balmy rose,
And pansy, with the day-spring at her heart. '


A RECANTATION.

To the same little Child.

The conqueror's chaplet doth not suit at all
Those girlish azure orbs, and tresses' flow :
Above—the victor wreath of ravaged Gaul —
The fairy-land of thy sweet face below,
Unscathed and clear ! Ill fancy ! that I wrought
A garland for thee of such stern device ;
I made a monster, Katie, when I brought
The Caesar's shadow o'er thy sunny eyes ;
But I must kiss thee, darling, all the same ;
What, peevish ! and this one brief kiss my dole !
Well—as it seems but half a kiss I stole.
Now thou art but half Katie, I will claim
The other half when thou art Katie whole,
Uncrost by martial hints and Roman fame.