FLORA AND THALIA. 31 



To the joyous birds of the woodland boughs, 

 The rangers of the sky. 



And brightly in the forest, 



To the wild deer wandering free ; * , 



And brightly, 'midst the garden flowers, 



To the happy murmuring bee. 



But oh ! thou gentle Summer, 



If I greet thy flowers once more, 

 Bring me again the buoyancy 



Wherewith my soul should soar ! 



MRS. HEMANS. 



AUTUMN. 



When the bright Virgin gives the beauteous days. 



And Libra weighs in equal scales the year ; 



From heaven's high cope, with fierce effulgence 



shook. 

 Of parting Summer, a serener blue, 

 With golden light enlivened, wide invests 

 The happy world. Attempered suns arise, 

 Sweet-beamed, and shedding oft through lucid clouds 

 A pleasing calm ; while broad and brown below, 

 Extensive harvests hang the heavy head. 

 Rich, silent, deep, they stand ; for not a gale 



