April

APRIL. {For the Improvement Era.) A bright, winsome maiden came tripping along, So gay was her laughter, so joyous her song, That the forest and rills took up the refrain, And the trees bent to listen, again and again: And the birds warbled sweetly the branches among,— "0 bonny, sweet lassie we're glad you have come." Then, all in an instant, her eyes filled with tears, And the wood-nymphs and elves were saddened with fears: "0 beautiful fairy, say, why dost thou weep? So young and so tender, your.secret we'll keep; You may rest in our counsels, full many our years;" She laughed in their faces, and burst into cheers! A fickle, fair maid! but the flow'rs love her so; Whene'er she approaches, they spring from below, To weave her a mantle of emerald and gold, With lilies and violets her brow to enfold; One wave of her hand, and the soft breezes blow, And earth, like an Eden, with beauty doth glow! <s«it r w ^* tt4 ^ RuTH May Fox. bait Lake City, Utah. '■