Symbol of innocence, to Tories dear,
Whom I detect beside the silvan path
Doing your second time on earth this year
That I may cull a generous aftermath,
Let me divine your reason
For thus repullulating out of season.

Associated with the vernal prime
And widely known as "rathe," why bloom so late?
Was it the lure of so-called "Summer-time,"
Extended well beyond the usual date?
Our thanks for which reprieve
Are SMILLIE'S, though they didn't ask his leave.

Rather I think you have some lofty plan,
Such as your old friend WORDSWORTH loved to sing;
That for a fair ensample set to Man
You duplicate your output of the Spring;
That in your heart there lodges
Dimly the hope of shaming Mr. HODGES.

Ah! gentle primrose by the river's brim!
Like _Peter Bell_ (unversed in woodland lore),
He'll miss your meaning; you will be to him
A yellow primrose--that and nothing more;
He'll read in you no sign
Of Nature's views about the datum-line.

O.S.