Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring in the valiant man and free, Tennyson. "Those that have stayed at thy knees, Mother, go call them in We that were bred overseas wait and would speak with our kin." The Flowers Buy my English posies! Wet with Channel spray; And I'll sell your heart's desire! B UY my English posies! You that scorn the May, Won't you greet a friend from home Green against the draggled drift, Faint and frail and first Buy my Northern blood-root And I'll know where you were nursed: Robin down the logging-road whistles, "Come to me!' Spring has found the maple-grove, the sap is running free; All the winds of Canada call the ploughing-rain. Take the flower and turn the hour, and kiss your love again! Buy my English posies! Here's to match your need Buy a tuft of royal heath, Buy my heath and lilies And I'll tell you whence you hail! Under hot Constantia broad the vineyards lieThroned and thorned the aching berg props the speckless sky Slow below the Wynberg firs trails the tilted wainTake the flower and turn the hour, and kiss your love again! Buy my English posies! You that will not turn- Gathered where the Erskine leaps Down the road to Lorne Buy my Christmas creeper And I'll say where you were born! West away from Melbourne dust holidays begin- Take the flower and turn the hour, and kiss your love again! Buy my English posies! Here's your choice unsold! Sign that spring is come Buy my clinging myrtle And I'll give you back your home! Broom behind the windy town; pollen o' the pine- Take the flower and turn the hour, and kiss your love again! |