The Anniversaries :: :: University of Virginia Library

Summer! sweet Summer! tremble not to take
Thy glory up and mount thy burning throne;
Deny not thy bright self, nor fear to make
Free, royal use of riches all thine own:
Ask not of Winter's bitterness a loan:
Spare nought that in thy treasure-house reposes,
Come beamy with thy suns! come lavish of thy roses!

Surprise our Isle, so little in thy grace,
With all thy mighty love, thy strength divine
Vouchsafe us the whole radiance of thy face—
Full, full upon thy longing lovers shine;

To the deep passion of our prayer incline!
Fond, faithful hearts, we never tire of thee,
But hoard each moment of thy golden empery.

Let linkëd golden days thy praise declare!
Let thy prolongëd smile our smiles inspire!
Yes, bid thy sky each day unweary wear
Its spotless azure robe; each day require
From thy strong sun his plenitude of fire!
Ask of thy flowers their all of joy and bloom,
And yield thine amorous air their fulness of perfume!

Fulfil thy work in us! each wooer dear
Sweetly o'erpower and blissfully oppress!
O make us faint, yet leave us full of cheer!
A glow, a glory lend to weariness!
Let dullards wish thee weak and lustreless—
Burn! beam! and give thy lovers leave to lie
Full on thy soft warm lap, full 'neath thy flaming eye!

To thy diviner, dearer self then turn;
Yes, throng all sweetness into thy sweet even!
O Beauty, grow more fair! blest odours, learn
Intenser fragrancy! Earth, smile like Heaven!
Enamoured earthling, hold thyself forgiven!
O Summer Eve, O day divinely dying,
Time brags of thee and waits Eternity's outvying.

Yes, live no less divinely, Summer hours!
Be worth our love! be worth our memory!
And O! when gone the time of smiles and flowers,
Take in our thoughts a fair eternity.
Yes, help each soul a Summer Bower to be!
Beam on, unending Summer! still bestow
Bright roses and warm suns 'midst Winter's wind and snow!