I KNOW a way br Of hearing what the larks and linnets say: br The larks tell of the sunshine and the sky; br The linnets from the hedges make reply, br And boast of hidden nests with mocking lay. br br I know a way br Of keeping near the rabbits at their play: br They tell me of the cool and shady nooks br Where waterfalls disturb the placid brooks br That I may go and frolic in the spray. br br I know a way br Of catching dewdrops on a night in May, br And threading them upon a spear of green, br That through their sides translucent may be seen br The sparkling hue that emeralds display. br br I know a way br Of trapping sunbeams as they nimbly play br At hide-and-seek with meadow-grass and flowers, br And holding them in store for dreary hours br When winds are chill and all the sky is gray. br br I know a way br Of stealing fragrance from the new-mown hay br And storing it in flasks of petals made, br To scent the air when all the flowers fade br And leave the woodland world to sad decay. br br I know a way br Of coaxing snowflakes in their flight to stay br So still awhile, that, as they hang in air, br I weave them into frosty lace, to wear br About my head upon a sultry day.