LEGENDS OF THE FLOWERS.
Reading edition
THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL.
hen skies are bright and winter's o'er, And leaves and flowers return once more, A little blossom 'mongst the grass Peeps at wayfarers as they pass. 'Mongst gayer buds of larger size It modest opes its purple eyes; And those who love the flowers know well The little Scarlet Pimpernel.
It hath a story of its own, That unto country-folk is known; For Nature's hand hath given it strange Perception of the weather's change. If clear will be the day, and fair, It opens wide its petals rare; But if the clouds should threaten rain, It shuts them up quite close again. The shepherds love the little flower That tells them of the changeful hour, And many a one asks, "Tell me, pray, What weather there will be to-day." And so in time another name, In honour of its rare gift, came; And the wee blossom 'mongst the grass