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<h2> Early Spring </h2>
<p>Quick through the gates of Fairyland<br/>
The South Wind forced his way.<br/>
'Twas his to make the Earth forget<br/>
Her grief of yesterday.<br/>
"'Tis mine," cried he, "to bring her joy!"<br/>
And on his lightsome feet<br/>
In haste he slung the snowdrop bells,<br/>
Pushed past the Fairy sentinels,<br/>
And out with laughter sweet.<br/>
<br/>
Clear flames of Crocus glimmered on<br/>
The shining way he went.<br/>
He whispered to the trees strange tales<br/>
Of wondrous sweet intent,<br/>
When, suddenly, his witching voice<br/>
With timbre rich and rare,<br/>
Rang through the woodlands till it cleft<br/>
Earth's silent solitudes, and left<br/>
A Dream of Roses there!<br/></p>
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