 | Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy |  |
106
THE ALPINE ROSE
LITTLE SCHEIDEGG
Thine is the rare, incomparable might
To warm a nation's heart, and year by year
For valley dweller and for mountaineer
To bring new sense of summer and delight.
June sees thee first upon the barren height
With iron-rusted leaves, buds bronzed and sere,
Then plump the petals, for the bells ring near,
And sudden all thy plumes are flushed and bright.
To warm a nation's heart, and year by year
For valley dweller and for mountaineer
To bring new sense of summer and delight.
June sees thee first upon the barren height
With iron-rusted leaves, buds bronzed and sere,
Then plump the petals, for the bells ring near,
And sudden all thy plumes are flushed and bright.
Brave rhododendron! Bacchus never gave
Such joy behind his thyrsus as is thine
When thy small thyrsus-buds to beauty break;
When, filled with mountain glory as with wine,
The village youths thy first fair cluster take
And dance down-hill behind the rose-crowned stave.
Such joy behind his thyrsus as is thine
When thy small thyrsus-buds to beauty break;
When, filled with mountain glory as with wine,
The village youths thy first fair cluster take
And dance down-hill behind the rose-crowned stave.
| Sonnets in Switzerland and Italy | |