The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 2 (of 3) / or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac

by William Hone

NATURALISTS’ CALENDAR.

Mean Temperature 59·49.

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The Longest Day.
For the Every-Day Book.

Cradled in glory’s ether-space,
By Venus nursed till morn,—
The light unrolls thy golden life
And thou art sweetly born.

O lovely Day of bloom and shine,
Of heat, and air, and strain!
Millions rejoice and millions die
Within thy halcyon reign.

Hopes, fears, and doubts, the passions move;
’Twas yesterday the same:—
To-morrow! thou wilt join the dead,
And only live by name—

Jupiter guides thee through the skies
To Hope’s eternal shore:
The sun departs—Thou, Longest Day—
Thou wilt be seen no more!

Methuselah of England’s year!
Thou Parr of Time—Farewell!
St. Thomas, shortest of thy race,
Shall ring thine annual knell.