—Ah me! ’twas years ago the birds

Fled swift o’er that far golden tree;

And wherefore now come back these words,

“Prepare for death, and follow me”?

IN LATE SEPTEMBER

Among the hardy marigolds

The spicy gillyflower unfolds,

And in the elm a catbird scolds

With saucy, outspread wings;

To mellow sweets the pippins speed,