146 FROM A MIDDLESEX GARDEN 



pink with the thrift. It is a typical English garden, now 

 gay with gaudy peonies, a short while since purple with iris, 

 and that soon will hold the loveliest clumps of Lilium auratum. 

 This garden, I know, is full of happy bees, and the June 

 breezes are at play amid the vine-leaves, while swifts whirl 

 round the trembling poplars. 



Join a merry roundelay, 

 (Summer's here and will not stay !), 

 Lights and shadows dance and play 

 In and out 'mid leafy spray. 

 Sunbeams race o'er fragrant thyme, 

 Drowsy bee hums golden rhyme, 

 Underneath the scented lime ; 

 (Summer is the sweetest time !) 



Sing heigh-ho ! for Junetide's day, 

 (Summer passes hence for aye), 

 Time enough to sigh and say : 

 " Well-a-day ! and well-a-way ! " 



Join a merry roundelay, 



(Youth is here and will not stay !) 



Lad and lass be glad to-day, 



Love and laugh while yet ye may ! 



Row where silver lilies beam 



On the breast of dimpled stream, 



Where the noontide hours gleam, 



(Love and youth pass like a dream !) 



Sing heigh-ho ! for Junetide's day, 

 (Summer passes hence for aye), 

 Time enough to sigh and say : 

 " Well-a-day ! and well-a-way ! " 



