Awake! awake! the dusky night Is fading from the sky; Awake! and with the early light To pleasant fields we'll hie. Come with me, and I will show Where the fragrant wild-flowers grow; We will weave a garland gay For our smiling Queen of May. The sun peeps up behind the hills, And hark! the morning song Of little birds the fresh air fills, As now we skip along. By the brook-side cold and wet, Blooms the pale, white violet; There's the purple blossom, too, Nodding with its weight of dew. The gentle wind just lifts the head Of many a columbine; And, taken from their rocky bed, They in our wreaths shall twine. Saxifrage, so small and sweet, Grows in plenty at our feet; From the grass we gather up, Golden bright, the buttercup. Now for the trailing evergreen, That in the woodland springs, And we will crown our May-day queen With buds this fair month brings. Merriest of all the year Is the day we welcome here; We will sing and dance away, In our glee, this long May-day. [Illustration] THE CHILD AND THE FLOWER-ELF. [Illustration: Letter I.] "I was walking, dearest mother, This morning, by the brook, And tired at last I rested me Within a shady nook. "There all was still and lonely, And suddenly I heard A little voice,--a sweeter one Than note of any bird. "I looked above, around me, I saw not whence it came; And yet that tone of music Was calling me by name. "The violet beside me Bloomed with its purple cup, And a tiny face, so lovely, Amidst its leaves peeped up. "Again the silver music,-- The voice I loved to hear,-- Upon its sweet breath floated, And bade me not to fear. "'I am the elf,' it whispered, 'Who in the violet dwells, And every blossom hides one Within its fragrant cells. "'If you will list our teaching, And catch our faintest tone, Your heart will be as spotless, As loving as our own.' "And then, as I was gazing, It vanished from my sight; Once more the violet nodded, And sought the sunshine bright." "My darling child, the elfins That live within the flowers Sweet sounds are ever breathing, To glad this world of ours. "Well may we weep and sorrow, If they are silent all; Then are our souls too sinful To heed their spirit call. "The pure in heart alone can hear Those precious words and low; And by their lessons purer yet Throughout their lives shall grow." [Illustration] THE FOUR GIFTS. [Illustration: Letter A.] A new-born babe was sleeping Within its cradle fair, And angel guards were keeping Its peaceful slumbers there. Gone was the age of fairies, And of the elfins wild, Who, hovering o'er the infant's couch, Were wont to bless the child. But in a distant city, Fays that still glad the earth, Four gentle little children, Hailed with delight his birth. Out spake the eldest sister, "O, let us fairies play, And give to our young brother Some precious gift to-day.