Summer

Hang out your loveliest star, O Night! O Night!

Your richest rose, O Dawn!

To greet sweet Summer, her, who, clothed in light,

Leads Earth's best hours on.

Hark! how the wild birds of the woods

Throat it within the dewy solitudes!

The brook sings low and soft,

The trees make song,

As, from her heaven aloft

Comes blue-eyed Summer like a girl along.

And as the Day, her lover, leads her in

How bright his beauty glows!

How red his lips, that ever try to win

Her mouth's delicious rose!

And from the beating of his heart

Warm winds arise and sighing thence depart;

And from his eyes and hair

The light and dew

Fall round her everywhere,

And Heaven above her is an arch of blue.

Come to the forest, or the treeless meadows

Deep with their hay or grain;

Come where the hills lift high their thrones of shadows,

Where tawny orchards reign.

Come where the reapers whet the scythe;

Where golden sheaves are heaped; where berriers blythe,

With willow-basket and with pail,

Swarm knoll and plain;

Where flowers freckle every vale,

And beauty goes with hands of berry-stain.