SPRING.
I am the Spring: with sunshine see me coming;
Birds begin to twitter; hark! the bees are humming:
Green to field and hillside, blossoms to the tree,
Joy to every human heart are what I bring with me.
SUMMER.
See my wealth of flowers! I'm the golden Summer:
Is there for the young or old a more welcome comer?
Come and scent the new-mown grass; by the hillside stray;
And confess that only June brings the perfect day.
AUTUMN.
Mark the wreath about my head,—wreath of richest flowers;
I am Autumn, and I bring mildest, happiest hours;
In my hand a goblet see, which the grape-juice holds;
Corn and grain and precious fruits, Autumn's arm enfolds.
WINTER.
Round my head the holly-leaf; in my hand the pine:
I am Winter cold and stern; these last flowers are mine.
But while I am left to rule, all's not dark or sad;
Christmas comes with winter-time to make the children glad.