OCTOBER."Rest! rest! shall I not have all Eternity to rest in?"—Arnauld.
There comes a time of rest to thee,
Whose laden boughs droop heavily
Toward earth, thou golden-fruited tree!
Whose laden boughs droop heavily
Toward earth, thou golden-fruited tree!
A time when wind and tempest cease
To spoil and stain thy fair increase:
After fruition deepest peace.
To spoil and stain thy fair increase:
After fruition deepest peace.
The tender bloom that decked thee, bride,
The jewels of thy matron pride,
And purple robes,—all laid aside.
The jewels of thy matron pride,
And purple robes,—all laid aside.
The slow, red sunshine, o'er thee cast,
In sweet, sad kisses for thy last,
And shadow-haunted from the past.
In sweet, sad kisses for thy last,
And shadow-haunted from the past.
Green, leafy, quiet, freed from care,
No heavier weight thy lithe limbs bear
Than dripping rain and sunny air.
No heavier weight thy lithe limbs bear
Than dripping rain and sunny air.
