EARLY AUTUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 27, 4 July 1891, Page 123

EARLY AUTUMN.

The country lanes are bright with bloom, And gentle airs come stealing through, Laden with native wild perfume Of balm and mint and honey dew. And o’er the summers radiant flush Lies early autumn’s dreamy hush.

In wayside nooks the asters gleam. And frost flowers dance above the sod, While, lapsing by, the silent stream Deflects the hue of golden rod : That flower which lights a dusky day With something of the sun-god’s ray.

The grape vine clambers o’er the hedge In golden festoons ; sumacs burn Like torches on the distant ledge, Or light the lane at every tuin, And ivy riots everywhere In blood red banners on the air.

A purple mist of fragrant mint Borders the fences, drifting out Of fostering corners, and its tint, As half of cheer and half of doubt, Is like the dear, delightful haze Which robes the hills these autumn days,

And strange, wild growths are newly met Odd things but little prized of yore. Like some old jewel well reset, Take on a worth unseen before, As dock, in spring, a graceless weed. Is brilliant in autumn seed.

The cricket and the katydid Pipe low their sad prophetic tune, Though airs pulse warm the leaves amid, As played around the heart of June ; Low, minor strains break on the heart. Foieteliing age as yeais depart.

The sweet old story of the year Is spinning onward to its close. Yet sounds as welcome on the ear As in the time of op’ning rose : May life for all as sweetly wane As comes the autumn time again.