March 24

Sharp crocus wakes the fro ward Year;
In their old haunts birds re-appear;
From yonder elm, yet black with rain,
The cushat looks deep down for grain
Thrown on the gravel- walk: here comes
The redbreast to the sill for crumbs.
Ply off! fly off! I can not wait
To welcome ye, as she of late.
The earliest of my friends is gone,
Alas! almost my only one!
The few as dear, long wafted o'er,
Await me on a sunnier shore.