"Welcome, pale Primrose! starting up between
Dead matted leaves of ash and oak, that strew
The every lawn, the wood and spinney through,
Mid creeping moss and ivy's darker green;
How much thy presence beautifies the ground ;
How sweet thy modest, unaffected pride
Glows on the sunny bank, and wood's warm side
And when thy fairy flowers in groups are found
The school-boy roams enchantedly along,
Plucking the fairest with a rude delight,
While the meek shepherd stops his simple song,
To gaze a moment on the pleasing sight;
O'erjoyed to see the flowers that truly bring
The welcome news of sweet returning spring"
by John Clare, 1793-1864.
The illustration is one of Cecily Mary Barker's exquisite 'Flower Fairies'.
A special thanks to Cathy over at 'Words and Herbs'. One of her recent posts pointed me in the direction of a book that I had not come across before 'Flora Poetica - The Chatto Book Of Botanical Verse'. I just had to have a copy of it so it has been very recently added to my bookshelves. This poem is included in the book.
A beautiful poem and such a wonderful illustration. Primroses are one of my favourite flowers.
ReplyDeleteMine too Jo :)
DeleteI second everything that Jo has said. Primula are very late here this year, I am putting it down to the dry summer.
ReplyDeleteThey are in flower here Angie( only just) but then we are on the west coast rather than the east and that bit further south too.
DeleteA lovely post... :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome and thanks for your comment Amy :)
DeleteI always enjoy reading your Musings Anna - thanks for coming up with them
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Cathy. I really enjoy the monthly search for a fitting verse or some prose.
DeleteThis poem is absolutely darling! And I love the illustration that goes along with it! Great post! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Alexa. Normally I do not allow links to unknown by me commercial sites to remain but will give you the benefit of the doubt in this particular instance :)
DeleteThat's a lovely choice Anna, and I saw my first primrose open today! I do love John Clare's poetry. :) The wings of the Primrose fairy remind me of the wings of the first butterfly I saw this year (last Saturday) - the Brimstone.
ReplyDeletePS Thanks for the mention and glad you like the book! :)
DeleteOh you are most welcome Cathy. I'm delighted with the book.I remember that like me you are partial to John Clare's poetry. I see what you mean about the fairy's wings :)
DeleteI also loved the book Cathy talked about and have one coming as well....
ReplyDeleteOh you are in for a treat then Donna - no illustrations - just marvellous words.
DeleteI've just come from "The Quirky Bird Gardener" blog and I just love primroses and always been a fan of 'The Flower Fairies' ........ I can remember looking for flower fairies with my Dear Gran and of course she would tell me about all the different flowers growing in the garden - pleasant memories, thanks.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thanks for your comment Jan and welcome. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the poem and illustration.
DeleteThe primroses are out now on the verges round here; such a welcome sight. I used to love the Flower Fairies when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteHere too Chloris. They were also a childhood favourite of mine. I'm sorry that you had a problem commenting. Thanks for persisting :)
DeleteThe primroses are out now on the verges round here; such a welcome sight. I used to love the Flower Fairies when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a book I had as a child. It's still too early for my primroses to bloom but the foliage is full and green so it will be soon. :o)
ReplyDelete