University of Virginia Library


104

XV. THE REVOLT OF NATURE

If thou dost go, Summer will follow thee
With eager lips and eager hair back-blown,
Leaving one hasty sandal by his throne;
And moon and sun and stars and white-waved sea
And flowers and leaves will cry, “Let not this be!”
And Spring will start and stay her girlish laughter
And, seeing thee go, will straightway follow after;
And in thy wake the fall's red leaves will flee.
Summer will dally with the expectant rose,
Waiting for thee to flush its cheek to red:
Lorn he will stand beside the garden bed:
The sun's brush by the sunset will repose
Ungrasped; and not one love-word will be said
To any flower by any wind that blows.