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Carol and Cadence

New poems: MDCCCCII-MDCCCCVII: By John Payne
Payne, John (1842-1916)

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SONGBIRDS.
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THE BOOK OF DAYS AND NIGHTS.
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THE BOOK OF DAYS AND NIGHTS.
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THE BOOK OF BIRDS.
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THE BOOK OF BEASTS.
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LONDON VOICES.
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BALLADS AND ROMANCES.
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SONNETS.
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TIME AND TIDE.
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THE MINSTREL'S BOOK.
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SONGS OF THE MORROW.

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7.

Earth had no thought of snow,
For March was near its end and Spring was in the air;
But with the night it came, down-fluttering soft and slow,
Like orange-blossoms, fallen from out some sun-bride's hair.
On every bush and tree,
No Winter's burden laid upon the labouring earth,
Light as a dream it lay, as 'twere in mockery
Of the bright blossom-suits of Springtime's tardy birth.
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The bridal of the year
With woven wreaths it seemed to celebrate of rime,
Foretelling of the feast of Springtide drawing near
And wistful Earth new-wed to the returning Prime.
But with the morrow's sun
The snow had disappeared and all was green once more:
'Twas but a passing whim of Winter well-nigh done,
To fright the infant Spring with this his flowerage frore.
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