Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection)/June and October
JUNE AND OCTOBER
June and October come to us and reign,
Abide with us through all the changing year
And make this earth more fair, this life more dear,
Let summer sunlight flood each darksome plain,
Let autumn glory deck each lonely lane,
And all the world be filled with songs of cheer,
Till life shall be too full for doubt and fear.
Dark is the heart, and steeped in ceaseless pain
That cannot smile when June comes back again;
Sad is the soul, and lonely are the ways
That can resist October's dreamy days.
I love them both, these gentle sisters twain,—
Sweet, smiling June. without a thought of care,
And fair October with her chestnut hair.
Abide with us through all the changing year
And make this earth more fair, this life more dear,
Let summer sunlight flood each darksome plain,
Let autumn glory deck each lonely lane,
And all the world be filled with songs of cheer,
Till life shall be too full for doubt and fear.
Dark is the heart, and steeped in ceaseless pain
That cannot smile when June comes back again;
Sad is the soul, and lonely are the ways
That can resist October's dreamy days.
I love them both, these gentle sisters twain,—
Sweet, smiling June. without a thought of care,
And fair October with her chestnut hair.