TRAILING ARBUTUS. 



While, thro long and quiet hours, 

 Fell the warm unceasing showers 

 From a sky of tender saffron slow dissolving in the 

 blue. 



Needless doubt and pain of April, hope that baffles 



and eludes, 

 Thro* the waiting weeks she followed, patient with 



his changing moods ; 

 Now the long suspense is over, 

 Now she turns to greet her lover, 

 With the soft auroral color mantling over cheek and 



brow ; 



And her dewy lips he presses, 

 And she thrills with light caresses, 

 Shy and cold while yet unbidden, wifely chaste and 

 tender now ! 



Hail the flower whose early bridal makes the festival 



of Spring ! 

 Deeper far than outward meaning lies the comfort 



she doth brino- 



o 



17 



