THE FLOWER CIRCUS
The flowers in the dell
Once gave a circus show;
And as I know them well,
They asked if I would go
As their especial guest.
“Quite charmed!” said I, and so
Put on my very best
Frock-coat and shiny hat,
And my embroidered vest
And wonderful cravat;
In fact, no end of style,
For it is, as you know,
But once in a great while
The flowers give a show.
They gave me a front seat,
The very nicest there—
A bank of violets sweet
And moss and maidenhair.
’Twas going to be a treat—
I felt it in the air.
As martial music crashed
From a trained trumpet-vine,
Into the ring there dashed
A beauteous columbine!
With airy grace she strode
Her wild horse-chestnut steed.
I held my breath, she rode
With such terrific speed.
They brought a cobweb ring,
And lightly she jumped through it.
(A very dangerous thing;
How did she learn to do it?)
I cried, “Brava! Encore!”
Until she’d jumped through nine,
Each higher than before.
(I tell you, it was fine!)
Then Jack-in-pulpit—who
From out his lofty place
Announced what each would do—
Cried, “Next there comes a race.”
Two Scarlet Runners flew
Three times the ring around,
And with a crown of dew
The winner’s head was crowned.
A booby race, for fun,
Came next (the prize was cheaper).
Trailing Arbutus won
Over Virginia Creeper.
Then came the world-famed six,
The Johnny-jump-up Brothers,
Who did amazing tricks,
Each funnier than the others.
A Spider, in mid-air
(Engaged at great expense),
On tight-thread gossamer
Danced with a skill immense!
A dashing young Green Blade,
Who quickly followed suit,
An exhibition made
Of how young blades can shoot.
There were Harebell ringers, too,
Who played delightful tunes,
And trained Dog-violets, who
Did antics, like buffoons.
All these and more were there—
Too many for narration;
But nothing could compare
With the last “Great Sensation.”
I never shall forget,
Though I should live an age,
The sight of Mignonette
Within the Lion’s cage.
Sweet smiling Mignonette
Not one bit scared—for why on
Earth should she fear her pet,
Her dear, tame Dandelion?