Out in the sunshine, far out in the lanes, Up on the hillsides, and over the plains, Springing to life in each meadow and glen, Filling the forests with sweetness again— See how the flowers come trooping in glee, Decking the woodlands, adorning each tree, Climbing the mountain side, thronging the dell, Weaving o’er all things a magical spell. All through the long frosty winter they slept, Nature above them her kind vigils kept; Snugly tucked into their beds soft and warm, Every sweet flower was safe from all storm. Spring, with her musical voice, is now heard Calling: “Good morning,” to flower and bird; Singing: “Awaken, my darlings, ’t is time, Winter has gone to some far-distant clime. Come from the valley and hillside and glen,— Birdlings now list for your footsteps again, Violet! May Flower! Snowdrop! my dears, Rouse and give welcome when robin appears. Summer is coming with sunshine and song, Life will be happiness all the day long. Haste! from your slumbers now brightly arouse, Shake out your garments and garland your brows!” Swift at the sound of their loved leader’s call, Leaped up the flowers by hillside and wall; Over the meadows and forests they wove Treasures of beauty; each woodland and grove Rang with the musical anthems of birds, Nature’s rich music unwedded to words; While summer found earth so enchanting and sweet, She thought nothing lacking to make it complete. BABY NELLIE. Cunning little baby Nellie, With her laughing, sweet blue eyes, Gazing on the world around her In a wondering, deep surprise, As if asking in amazement, What do all these strange things mean? Ne’er before such giant people, Or such places has she seen. For you see, my little children, Baby Nell has lately come From some far-off sunny Elf-land, To make this her future home: And so many things around her Seem so hard to understand, For such people and their doings Are not known in Baby-land. Now she catches at the sunbeam Gleaming on the snowy floor, Then she coos in smiling wonder At the vines around the door; And the little, spotted kitten Is a source of great delight To our charming baby Nellie,— Winsome baby, sweet and bright.