180 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



Canada's Emblem. 



When the white frost lies on the topmost rail 



Which fences the fold where the sheep are fed, 



When the stems of the purple fire-weed fail, 

 And the bracken losing its russet red 

 Takes the livid hue of the clouds o'er head, 



When the fear of the Ghost from the White North grows 

 In sullen pines where the wolves are bred ; 



In Gold and in Crimson the maple glows — 



When under the stars on an unseen trail, 



The hosts of the clamorous fowl have sped, 



When the old folk die and the young folk ail, 

 And the homing cattle by instinct led 

 Come wandering down to the ranchers stead, 



When the old year draws to a dreary close 



And the hearts of men are oppressed by dread ; 



In Gold and in Crimson the maple glows — 



When the rain storms thresh with pitiless flail 

 The last faint flowers in the garden bed, 



And the sloops drive home under shortened sail, 

 When the songs are over and song birds fled, 

 And the last farewell of the Autumn said, 



When the bleak world shudders because it knows 

 That the feet of its dying are round its dead ; 



In Gold and in Crimson the maple glows — 



L'Envoi. 



Even so should a brave man's sunset shed 



From the heights of pain, through the mist of woes, 

 A flame on the path which we all must tread. 



In Gold and in Crimson the maple glows. 



