Poem by William Cullen Bryant

The Yellow Violet

When beechen buds begin to swell, 
And woods the blue-bird’s warble know, 
The yellow violet’s modest bell 
Peeps from last-year’s leaves below.

Ere russet fields their green resume, 
Sweet flower, I love, in forest bare, 
To meet thee, when thy faint perfume 
Alone is in the virgin air.

Of all her train, the hands of Spring 
First plant thee in the watery mould, 
And I have seen thee blossoming 
Beside the snow-bank’s edges cold.

Thy parent sun, who bade thee view 
Pale skies, and chilling moisture sip 
Has bathed thee in his own bright hue, 
And streaked with jet thy glowing lip.

Yet slight thy form, and low thy seat, 
And earthward bent thy gentle eye, 
Unapt the passing view to meet, 
When loftier flowers are flaunting nigh.

Oft, in the sunless April day, 
Thy early smile has stayed my walk; 
But midst the gorgeous blooms of May 
I passed thee on thy humple stalk.

So they, who climb to wealth, forget 
The friends in darker fortunes tried; 
I copied them--but I regret 
That I should ape the ways of pride.

And when again the genial hour 
Awakes the painted tribes of light, 
I’ll not o’er look the modest flower 
That made the woods of April bright.

1. “Blessed Are They That Mourn”
2. The Hunter of the Prairies
3. Rizpah
4. A Scene on the Banks of the Hudson
5. The Damsel of Peru

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