Poems (Argent)/The Return of Spring

by Alice Emily Argent

For works with similar titles, see The Return of Spring.

THE RETURN OF SPRING.

I HEARD a clarion voice go by
The brooding mists of sea and sky.

It said, "Awake, O winds, and bring
The tarrying glories of the Spring."

It said unto the waves and sea,
"Ring out your chords of melody."

It whispered to the feathered throng,
"Shout forth your merriest notes in song.

And to the sleeping flowers, " Arise,
And blossom sweetly 'neath the skies."

The wide fields yielded forth their green,
Where long the ice-bound frost had been.

To each hill-side and sheltered vale
The cuckoo told his tender tale.

And from the trees perpetual ran
The message of God's love to man

The limpid waters of the pool,
Whereon the floating lily cool

Lay 'twixt green leaves half hid from view,
Looked shyly up into the blue

Of matchless beauty overhead,
That smiled upon his tranquil bed.

The Spring, all garlanded and gay,
Tripped out from blooms of fragrant may,

And like a maiden crowned with flowers,
She stepped coquettish, bathed in showers;

Upon the wind her tresses bold
Streamed from laburnum's locks of gold;

And through all distance far and near
Her clarion voice fell loud and clear,

As, shouting out in tones of mirth,
She said, "Rejoice once more, O earth!

For from on high God sent me down,"
To shine on country and o'er town!