§#3 



AN INVITATION. 

 By Fannie E. Blakely, Arcadia: Sound Beach, Conn. 



Come to Arcadia's meadows, 



Come to the grove's cool shadows 



Where Nymphalia's blackbird staccatos, 

 Down at dear Sound Beach. 



Come to the long bright reaches 



Of the wind in the oaks and beeches, 



And learn what Arcadia teaches 

 Down at old Sound Beach. 



So potent the thought that's behind her 

 That, heeding its gentle reminder, 



The very mosquitoes grow kinder 

 Down at dear Sound Beach. 



Come where the breezes of healing 



O'er the salt marshes stealing 

 Bring the sound of the fog bell's pealing 



Down at old Sound Beach. 



Come one and all and go sailing 



When waves on the sands are wailing 



And ships on the Sound are hailing 

 Down at old Sound Beach. 



Come with the landsman and seaman, 



With bird man and flower man and tree man, 



Where even the rich man's a free man, 

 Down at dear Sound Beach. 



