THE PADDOCK
Lofty the russet Fern may grow,
The tufty Tussock shining go
Mile upon mile outside the fence,
But inside—No!
A barren rootlet, here and there,
I can espy:
A patch of pasture, nibbled bare,
Dewless and dry.
Green seas of Growing shall enlap,
Narrow and overflow the gap—
Hither, and help! O Earth and Air,
Sunshine and Sap.
To-day, to-day! of your full store
Twofold I’d take;
And more of leaves and blossoms, more
Of honey make.
Rich mouthfuls shall the Pony pull
To-day, to-day the hives grow full,
Plump and content the leaping Lambs,
Thick, thick the wool!
(Enter with buckets and a basket, Elizabeth.)
Elizabeth: Daisy! Daisy! Come, Cherry, come!....No need of much calling! There, little calves, take your breakfast!
Now you, Jill, my orphan.—Gently, creature, gently! You a lamb, indeed!....Ah, would you? and spill half the bucket again, I suppose, as you did yesterday! You grow too strong, Jill, and too greedy! You will soon have to grow up, I can see, and eat only grass.
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