 | The harp and plow |  |
APRIL.
The winds are called; and pleasant days
Are giving gladness now;
They call the cattle forth to graze,
The farmer to his plow.
Are giving gladness now;
They call the cattle forth to graze,
The farmer to his plow.
Upon the mountain's sunward side
The maple shows its buds;
The elm begins its shadow wide,
And birches scent the woods.
The maple shows its buds;
The elm begins its shadow wide,
And birches scent the woods.
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The alder hangs its tassels out
Down by the water-side;
Beneath the spring-enlivened trout
Like darting arrows glide.
Down by the water-side;
Beneath the spring-enlivened trout
Like darting arrows glide.
The squirrel chatters on the bough,
The bird sings in the tree;
Abroad is early roaming now
The honey-seeking bee.
The bird sings in the tree;
Abroad is early roaming now
The honey-seeking bee.
At morn I saw a cloud like snow
Above the river lie;
The day-beams chased it from below—
It vanished in the sky.
Above the river lie;
The day-beams chased it from below—
It vanished in the sky.
And so, like yon bright cloud, thought I,
Oft cherished fancies go;
Dissolving, so they fade and fly,
As sure, but scarce as slow.
Oft cherished fancies go;
Dissolving, so they fade and fly,
As sure, but scarce as slow.
I saw at noon a passing shower
Steal o'er the landscape bright;
It brought to mind a tearful hour
When looking for delight.
Steal o'er the landscape bright;
It brought to mind a tearful hour
When looking for delight.
I saw above the sunken sun
Rich clouds in beauty piled;
There, lingering when the day was done,
Reflected glory smiled.
Rich clouds in beauty piled;
There, lingering when the day was done,
Reflected glory smiled.
So o'er the just, the good, the brave,
When all life's sails are furled,
Their virtues, clustering o'er the grave,
Still light a darkened world.
When all life's sails are furled,
Their virtues, clustering o'er the grave,
Still light a darkened world.
| The harp and plow | |