Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/The Seasons

The Seasons.

The changing seasons, as they pass o'er earth, Bearing bloom, brightness, beauty, and decay,The winter's chill, the summer's festive mirth, The autumn's sadness, and spring's verdure gay,—These are all imaged in the inner world; In the mind's unknown depths their shadows lie,As a clear lake, by careless breeze uncurled, Reflects the changes of the varying sky.

Hope is the spring-time of the soul, when life Wakes into beauty, blossoms scent the air,And gives the promise of a season ripe With Nature's choicest bounties rich and rare.Joy is the summer, when the hopes fulfilled, Gladdens the mind, and bids all care depart;Beams in the eye, and, with rich pleasure thrilled, Sunshine and music overflow the heart.

Memory is autumn, shedding softened light O'er the dear scenes of other happy years—Robing e'en sadness in a vesture bright, And decking mirth with half-regretful tears.Sorrow is winter, when the flowers die, The leaves are scattered by the wind's rude breath,And white and pure the fallen snow-flakes lie O'er field and valley, like the robe of death.

It may be that some tender floweret hides, In its warm covert, 'neath the mantling snow;Thine eye, perchance, some straying sunbeam guides To look on high, from these drear realms below.Thus sorrow keeps some germ of future good, To bloom in beauty at some happier day;Thus light from heaven, in thy gloomy mood, Sheds o'er thy spirit its inspiring ray.

And as the sunshine melts the summer snow, So hope's bright rays revive the drooping heart;As spring's young buds in fresher beauty glow, So joy awakes, and grief and care depart.And if not here the winter's chains are riven, There is a land where they will melt away;Perpetual spring and summer dwell in heaven, And autumn's brightness freed from its decay.