Impromptu

"Where art thou wandering, little child?"

I said to one I met to-day.--

She pushed her bonnet up and smiled,

"I'm going upon the green to play:

Folks tell me that the May's in flower,

That cowslip-peeps are fit to pull,

And I've got leave to spend an hour

To get this little basket full."

--And thou'st got leave to spend an hour!

My heart repeated.--She was gone;

--And thou hast heard the thorn's in flower,

And childhood's bliss is urging on:

Ah, happy child! thou mak'st me sigh,

This once as happy heart of mine,

Would nature with the boon comply,

How gladly would I change for thine.