While westerly, along the hills,

Flame the first tints of frosty sheen.

Ah, middle-point, where cloud and storm

Make battle-ground of this my life!

Where, even-matched, the Night and Day

Wage round me their September strife!

I bow me to the threatening gale:

I know when that is overpast,

Among the peaceful harvest-days,

An Indian-summer comes at last.