The Blue Poetry Book

TO DAFFODILS

Reading edition

Fair Daffodils, we weep to see You haste away so soon: As yet the early-rising Sun Has not attain’d his noon. Stay, stay, Until the hasting day Has run But to the even-song; And, having pray’d together, we Will go with you along.

Illustration from The Blue Poetry Book 7th. Ed.

We have short time to stay, as you, We have as short a Spring; As quick a growth to meet decay, As you, or any thing. We die, As your hours do, and dry Away, Like to the Summer’s rain; Or as the pearls of morning’s dew Ne’er to be found again. R. Herrick.