I pity and love thee , friendless worm , Though thou art not graceful or fair ; For many a dark , unlovely form , Hath a kind heart dwelling there ; No more o'er the green and pleasant earth , Lonely and poor , shalt thou roam , For a loving friend hast thou found in me , And rest in my little home . '' Then , deep in its quiet mossy bed , Sheltered from sun and shower , The grateful worm spun its winter tomb , In the shadow of the flower . And Clover guarded well its rest , Till Autumn 's leaves were sere , Till all her sister flowers were gone , And her winter sleep drew near . Then her withered leaves were softly spread O'er the sleeping worm below , Ere the faithful little flower lay Beneath the winter snow . Spring came again , and the flowers rose From their quiet winter graves , And gayly danced on their slender stems , And sang with the rippling waves . Softly the warm winds kissed their cheeks ; Brightly the sunbeams fell , As , one by one , they came again In their summer homes to dwell . And little Clover bloomed once more , Rosy , and sweet , and fair , And patiently watched by the mossy bed , For the worm still slumbered there . Then her sister flowers scornfully cried , As they waved in the summer air , `` The ugly worm was friendless and poor ; Little Clover , why shouldst thou care ? Then watch no more , nor dwell alone , Away from thy sister flowers ; Come , dance and feast , and spend with us These pleasant summer hours . We pity thee , foolish little flower , To trust what the false worm said ; He will not come in a fairer dress , For he lies in the green moss dead . '' But little Clover still watched on , Alone in her sunny home ; She did not doubt the poor worm 's truth , And trusted he would come . At last the small cell opened wide , And a glittering butterfly , From out the moss , on golden wings , Soared up to the sunny sky . Then the wondering flowers cried aloud , `` Clover , thy watch was vain ; He only sought a shelter here , And never will come again . '' And the unkind flowers danced for joy , When they saw him thus depart ; For the love of a beautiful butterfly Is dear to a flower 's heart . They feared he would stay in Clover 's home , And her tender care repay ; So they danced for joy , when at last he rose And silently flew away . Then little Clover bowed her head , While her soft tears fell like dew ; For her gentle heart was grieved , to find That her sisters ' words were true , And the insect she had watched so long When helpless , poor , and lone , Thankless for all her faithful care , On his golden wings had flown . But as she drooped , in silent grief , She heard little Daisy cry , `` O sisters , look ! I see him now , Afar in the sunny sky ; He is floating back from Cloud-Land now , Borne by the fragrant air . Spread wide your leaves , that he may choose The flower he deems most fair . '' Then the wild rose glowed with a deeper blush , As she proudly waved on her stem ; The Cowslip bent to the clear blue waves , And made her mirror of them .
Little Houstonia merrily danced , And XXXXX her white leaves wide ; While Daisy whispered her joy and hope , As she stood by her gay friends ' side .
came come drew find gone kissed look said see spread