Poems (Coates 1916)/Volume I/Reveille

by Florence Earle Coates

For other versions of this work, see Reveille (Coates).

REVEILLE

WHAT frolic zephyr through the young leaves plays,
Scattering fragrance delicate and sweet?
What impulse new moves Robin to repeat
To pale Anemone his roundelays?
What winning wonder fills the world with praise
In this mysterious time? Lo, all things greet
A loved one, new redeemed from death's defeat—
A youth whose languid head fair nymphs upraise!

For him the crocus dons his bravery,—
And violets for him their censers swing;
For him the shy arbutus, blushfully,
Peeps through the mosses that about her cling;
Adonis wakes! Awake, earth's minstrelsy!
In swelling diapason hymn the Spring!