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With summer and sun behind you, 



With winter and shade before, 

 You crowd in your regal splendor, 



Through the autumn's closing door, 

 White as the snow that is coming. 



Red as the rose that is gone, 

 Gold as the heart of the lilies. 



Pink as the flush of the dawn. 

 Confident, winsome, stately. 



You throng in the wane of the year, 

 Trooping an army with banners 



When the leafless woods are sere. 



Sweet is your breath as of spices 



From a far sea island blown ; 

 Chaste your robes as cf vestals 



Trimmine their lamps alone. 

 Strong are your hearts, and sturdy 



The life that is root and stem 

 Smoulders and glows till it sparkles 



In each flowery diadem. 

 Nothing of bloom and odor 



Have your peerless legions lost, 

 Marching in fervent beauty 



To challenge the death-white frost. 



So to the eye of sorrow 



Ye bring a flicker of light ; 

 The cheek that was wan with illness 



Smiles at your faces bright. 

 The children laugh in greeting, 



And the dear old people say, 

 " Here are the self-same darlings 



We loved in our own young day," 

 As summer and sun behind you. 



Winter and shade before. 

 You crowd in your regal splendor 



Through the autumn's closing door 



Margaret E. Sangster. 



