Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By O. C.Auringer

1012 April

WEARY at heart with winter yesterday,

I sought the fields for something green to see,

Some budded turf or mossbank quietly

Uncovered in the sweet familiar way.

Crossing a pasture slope that sunward lay,

I suddenly surprised beneath a tree

A girlish creature who at sight of me

Sprang up all wild with daintiest dismay.

“Stay, pretty one!” I cried,—“who art thou, pray?”

Mid tears and freaks of pettish misery,

And sighing, “I am April,” answered she;

“I rear the field flowers for my sister May.”

Then with an arch laugh sidewise, clear and strong,

Turned blithely up the valley with a song.