96 WITH HERBS AND FLOWERS 



All day across ray window low 

 Thy flowery stalk waves to and fro 

 Against a background of blue sea. 

 On the south wind, to visit thee, 

 Come airy shapes in sumptuous dyes, 

 Rich golden, black-edged butterflies, 

 And humming-birds in emerald coats, 

 With flecks of fire upon their throats, 

 That in the sunshine whir and glance, 

 And probe the flowers with slender lance ; 

 And many a drunken, drowsy bee, 

 Singing his song hilariously. 

 About the garden fluttering yet, 

 In amber plumage freaked with jet, 

 The goldfinches charm all the air 

 With sweet, sad crying everywhere. 

 To the dry sunflower stalks they cling, 

 And on the ripened disks they swing ; 

 With delicate delight they feed 

 On the rich store of milky seed. 



Autumn goes loitering through the land, 

 A torch of fire within her hand. 

 Soft sleeps the bloomy haze that broods 

 O'er distant hills and mellowing woods ; 

 Rustle the cornfields far and near, 

 And nuts are ripe, and pastures sere, 

 And lovely odours haunt the breeze, 

 Borne o'er the sea and through the trees. 

 Belated beauty, lingering still 

 So near the edge of winter's chill, 



