Page:Poems Jones.djvu/124

THE SOUTH WIND.

H, the light south wind!
It brought us the odor of orange bowers,
Of citron-trees, and of all rare flowers,
As we sat by our doors in summery hours;
    Did the light south wind.

    Oh, the sweet south wind!
It brought us the oriole's love-breathing note;
The paroquet's praise of his pretty green coat;
The carols that gush from the mocking-bird's throat;
    Did the sweet south wind.

    Oh, the loud south wind!
It brought the rude song and the African's jest;
It brought us (oh, shame!) his deep sighs of unrest,
When the foot of his master bore hard on his breast;
    Did the loud south wind.