Henry Alford

Sonnet LXXII. Spring, When Young Flowers Peep, But The Frost Nippeth Keen.

Spring should be drest in emblem quaint and shy; A troop of rosy girls escaped from bed For very wantonness of play, should tread The garden--paths; one tucks her night--robe high, The dewy freshness of the lawn to try; Some have been bolder, and unclothed and bright The group is seen in the moon's mellow light; Some, scattered, gaze upon the trees and sky. But there should be that turn with hurried glance Beckoning their playmates, where by a side--path Between the shrubs is seen to half--advance The moody widow lodger; who in wrath Is sure to scatter all their stealthy play, And they will rue it ere the break of day.