| SUMMER |
The heats of Summer come hastily on, The fruits are transparent and clear; The buds and the blossoms of April are gone, And the deep colored cherries appear. The blue sky above us is bright and serene, No cloud on its bosom remains; The woods and the fields and the hedges are green, And the haycock smells sweet from the plains. But, hark! from the woodlands what sound do I hear? The voices of pleasure so gay; The merry young haymakers cheerfully bear The heat of the hot summer's day. While some with bright scythe, singing shrill to the tone, The tall grass and buttercups mow, Some spread it with rakes, and by others 't is thrown Into sweet smelling cocks in a row. Then since joy and glee with activity join, This moment to labor I'll rise; While the idle love best in the shade to recline, And waste precious time as it flies. |
| --Jane Taylor |
Music for "The Star"
| THE STAR |
Twinkle, twinkle, little star How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. When the blazing sun is gone, When he nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. Then the traveler in the dark Thanks you for your tiny spark. He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so. In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep; For you never shut your eye Till the sun is in the sky. As your bright and tiny spark Lights the traveler in the dark, Though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star. |
| --Jane Taylor. |
| THE FLOWER AND THE LADY, ABOUT GETTING UP |
Pretty flower, tell me why All your leaves do open wide, Every morning, when on high The noble sun begins to ride. This is why, my lady fair, If you would the reason know, For betimes the pleasant air Very cheerfully doth blow. And the birds on every tree Sing a merry, merry tune, And the busy honey bee Comes to suck my sugar soon. This is, then, the reason why I my little leaves undo. Little lady, wake and try If I have not told you true. |
| --Jane Taylor. |