In the Garden

The roses blushed a deeper red, The lilies looked more saintly, The sweet-alyssum hung its head, And smiled and frowned most quaintly; The daisies even, at my feet, Were strangely knowing, strangely sweet;

The hollyhocks against the wall, So serious and old-fashioned, Were all astir, the larkspur tall Seemed really quite impassioned. I pondered, but I could not guess What made their sudden consciousness.

Where'er I looked, their little eyes Were eager, wise and tender, As if they had some new surprise Or sympathy to render — But, turning round all unaware, I saw that she was standing there !