THE BERRY HARVEST.
91
It matters but little what garment is worn,
Ten chances to one that the dress will be torn,
For coat, hat, and bonnet, the worst ones will do,
But guard well the feet, or this tramp you may rue.
Ten chances to one that the dress will be torn,
For coat, hat, and bonnet, the worst ones will do,
But guard well the feet, or this tramp you may rue.
Thus clad, sally forth, and the forest will smile,
Gray rocks shall re-echo your glad song the while,
The old will grow young as the past is lived o'er,
When some joined their sport who will share it no more.
Gray rocks shall re-echo your glad song the while,
The old will grow young as the past is lived o'er,
When some joined their sport who will share it no more.
No daintier meal for the best need be spread,
Than berries and milk, with good old-fashioned bread;
How oft when a child, followed supper like this,
A kind father's good-night and a fond mother's kiss.
Than berries and milk, with good old-fashioned bread;
How oft when a child, followed supper like this,
A kind father's good-night and a fond mother's kiss.
Alike for us all, both the great and the small,
Is heard in the soft breath of summer the call—
My fruit-feast is ready, wide-open the door,
For low and for high, for the wealthy and poor.
Is heard in the soft breath of summer the call—
My fruit-feast is ready, wide-open the door,
For low and for high, for the wealthy and poor.
Then hie to the harvest, boy, matron, and maid,
Of viper or vermin let none be afraid;
And gear up the horse for the sickly and old,
For berry-time, sure, is our true age of gold.
Of viper or vermin let none be afraid;
And gear up the horse for the sickly and old,
For berry-time, sure, is our true age of gold.
