William Edward Marshall (1859-1923). To a Mayflower. William Wilfred Campbell, comp. 1913. The Oxford Book of Canadian Verse

William Wilfred Campbell, comp. The Oxford Book of Canadian Verse. 1913.

To a Mayflower

By William Edward Marshall (1859–1923)


HATH the rude laugh of Boreas frighted thee,
My dainty one, that thou hast sought to hide
Thy loveliness from the young Spring, whose bride
Thou art, and, like a novice, ecstasy
Of life renounce, in this dark monast’ry	5
Of mossy cells? Nay, my pale beauty, chide
Me not, that I have mocked thy holy pride
With ardent praises of so rare modesty!
For I am come to claim thee, pretty flower,
As a sweet solace for my lady’s eyes,—	10
That thou—thy vigil past—all in a bower
Of love, may’st blush and bloom in glad surprise;
Happy, that, unawares, thy worth was known,
And all thy fragrance saved for Love alone.