ODE TO SUMMER.

Otago Witness, Volume 01, Issue 2123, 1 November 1894, Page 43

ODE TO SUMMER.

The fairy prince is coining over the hills, Coming down from the north with roses nbout his car ; His heialtl high the blue heavens with music fills, The wind of the north has bent his praise from afiir. Sunimci, we meet thee with song ! Sinniii'-i we iirot til pi* \\'!h joy! We -aiil you %v oiiltt not uu long When the Spring came blushing and coy \ llq will wed the maiden tpring in November— How sadly we saw him ro, we remember, Last yeai in the fall ! This is the season of all, Blush robes ami sunflowers tall, And all the garden rich as a cloth of gold, And heavy the air with the breath of the fragrant east, Bee and butterfly still at the flowery feast— Eaith ! while the summer is here you will never grow old. Summer, we love thee! -stay with us, ever stay, Enrich us with odours of roses and breath of new hay ; Bathe us in sunshine, watching the dance of the hours, Wrnp us in gladness amid the fields and the dowers, Ram the sweets of the season upon us in blossomy showers. Pale convolvulus Wining the evergreen shade, Bright lobelia skirting the lawn with blue, Rich geranium weaving a scarlet braid On the border where sweet forget-me-not smiles anew ! Laugh little gems, for the Summer is high on his throne ; Marigold, lily, and poppy are all his own ; Lingering violet sighs for her sisters, are flown; And o'er her the breath of the proud carnation is blown. Sing, for the beautiful Summer is clothed in lightValley and plain are bathed in the season's delight ! Summer is throned in the midst of his sunny hair! Prince of the Orient ! bright and happy and fair : Bear hither your tribute, 0 earth !to the steps of his golden chair. Early spring waß pale, and her wind was chill — Summer is rosy fair and his breath is warm ; Hoary winter was sad and weary aud ill. Summer is brimming with health and the golden cbarm Of youth and love and laxighter and pleasure and wine. Summer ! the prize of all the seasons be thine ; We love thee, we love thee, sUy with us, ever stay, Throned in the balmy night and the fragrant day. —David M'Kee Wriuut. Tabletops, Hakateramea, October 1894.