A MIDSUMMER SONG.

I WANT to sing a little song to please you,

How midsummer comes following after June,

And shall I pitch it by the lark or robin?—

For songs in midsummer should be in tune.

And shall I give it sweetness like the roses?—

For midsummer has roses, as you know,

As well as June; and sprinkled o'er with spices

From beds of pinks and poppies in a row?

Perhaps like them; or, maybe 'twould be sweeter,

My little song, and prettier sound to you,

If I should make it make you think of lilies—

For midsummer has always lilies too.

Around the meadow-sweet the bees they cluster

So thick the children pick it not for fear—

Like meadow-sweet and bees, if I could make it,

A pretty little song 'twould be to hear!

Down in the field a crowd of flowers are standing;

The locusts pipe, the flowers keep sweet and still—

With honey-balls of clover and the others,

If only I my little song could fill!

I want to sing a little song to please you

Of midsummer that's following after June,

But oh! of all her sweet, gay things, I cannot

With one put yet my little song in tune!

I think you'll have to find a child or robin,

Some ignorant and merry-hearted thing;

For, I suppose, a song of the midsummer

It takes a heart more like a bird's to sing!