The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti A variorum edition: Edited, with textual notes and introductions, by R. W. Crump |
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 | The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti |  |
41
Seasons.
Oh the cheerful budding-time
When thorn-hedges turn to green;
When new leaves of elm and lime
Cleave and shed their winter screen:
Tender lambs are born and baa,
North wind finds no snow to bring,
Vigorous nature laughs Haha
In the miracle of spring.
When thorn-hedges turn to green;
When new leaves of elm and lime
Cleave and shed their winter screen:
Tender lambs are born and baa,
North wind finds no snow to bring,
Vigorous nature laughs Haha
In the miracle of spring.
Oh the gorgeous blossom-days
When broad flag-flowers drink and blow;
In and out in summer blaze
Dragonflies flash to and fro:
Ashen branches hang out keys,
Oaks put forth the rosy shoot,
Wandering herds wax sleek at ease,
Lovely blossoms end in fruit.
When broad flag-flowers drink and blow;
In and out in summer blaze
Dragonflies flash to and fro:
Ashen branches hang out keys,
Oaks put forth the rosy shoot,
Wandering herds wax sleek at ease,
Lovely blossoms end in fruit.
Oh the shouting harvest-weeks:
Mother Earth grown fat with sheaves;
Thrifty gleaner finds who seeks:
Russet golden pomp of leaves
Crowns the woods, to fall at length;
Bracing winds are felt to stir,
Ocean gathers up her strength,
Beasts renew their dwindled fur.
Mother Earth grown fat with sheaves;
Thrifty gleaner finds who seeks:
Russet golden pomp of leaves
Crowns the woods, to fall at length;
Bracing winds are felt to stir,
Ocean gathers up her strength,
Beasts renew their dwindled fur.
Oh the starving winter-lapse,
Ice-bound, hunger-pinched and dim:
Dormant roots recal their saps,
Empty nests show black and grim,
Short-lived sunshine gives no heat,
Undue buds are nipped by frost,
Snow sets forth a windingsheet
And all hope of life seems lost.
Ice-bound, hunger-pinched and dim:
Dormant roots recal their saps,
Empty nests show black and grim,
Short-lived sunshine gives no heat,
Undue buds are nipped by frost,
Snow sets forth a windingsheet
And all hope of life seems lost.
| The Complete Poems of Christina Rossetti | |