To A Tulip-Bulb

SLEEP first,

    And let the storm and winter do their worst;

    Let all the garden lie

    Bare to the angry sky,

    The shed leaves shiver and die

        Above your bed;

    Let the white coverlet

    Of sunlit snow be set

        Over your sleeping head,

    While in the earth you sleep

    Where dreams are dear and deep,

    And heed nor wind nor snow,

    Nor how the dark moons go.

In this sad upper world where Winter's hand

Has bound with chains of ice the weary land.

        Then wake

To see the whole world lovely for Spring's sake;

    The garden fresh and fair

    With green things everywhere,

    And winter's want and care

        Banished and fled;

    Primrose and violet

    In every border set,

        With rain and sunshine fed.

    Then bless the fairy song

    That cradled you so long,

    And bless the fairy kiss

    That wakened you to this--

A world where Winter's dead and Spring doth reign

And lovers whisper in the budding lane.