Drowsy and low is the hum of the bees
As the nectar they sip from the bloom;
The rivulet courses, all nature rejoices,
For Winter is laid in the tomb.
Gaily among the green arches the birds
Pour forth their thanksgiving in song;
Their clear, mellow notes in pure cadence floats
As the echoing gale sweeps along.
The hillside with blushes lifts up its fair head
In its verdurous beauty so proud;
And the flower-faces gleam as a loving sunbeam
Wafts down from the light fleecy cloud.
The grand, lofty mountain where hangs the white mist
Tells the brooklets of Summer’s warm glow;
And they in turn hail each glen, woodland and vale
Where the soft willow catkins bend low.
The flowerets join the harmonious strain
With the cricket, the bird and the bee;
And the rippling rill the sweet chorus will trill
On its clear winding way to the sea.
’Neath the gnarled oak tree by the silvery lake
Are the fairies all robed in white;
Awaiting their queen, for they dance at e’en
By the fireflies magical light.
Then come to the country so grand—
O come to the old oaken tree
Where mystical notes on the gentle breeze floats
And the fays dance so gay on the lea.
O come to the old oak tree
Where the ivy so lovingly twines,
And Zephyr’s warm kiss so freighted with bliss
Is perfumed by the evergreen pines.
ODE TO THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
Aurora-borealis:—Thy secret vast
Hast ne’er by Man been found—
As, through the Ages of the Past
From Times remotest bound
When Night her sable curtains fold
O’er all the earth, then high
’Mid star-gemmed canopy—behold
Thy rays illume the sky!
Canst tell—ye ice-bergs of the North—
Whence comes these waves of light
Whose golden splendor shimmers forth
To greet the Queen of Night—
Dost power that welds thy icy chain
And casts thy fetters strong
Ere thus make radiant thy domain
As the ages creep along?
Ye wavering light!—Afar on high
Shines forth, like chastening rod
That Power, reflecting on the sky
The mighty Hand of God!
Then bow, ye mortal monarchs brave
Before thy crumbling throne!
Aurora’s beams shall deck thy grave
When a hundred years are flown.