JUNE. 



Frank-hearted hostess of the field and wood, 



Gipsy, whose roof is every spreading tree, 



June is the pearl of our New England year, 



Still a surprisal, though expected long, 



Her coming startles. Long she lies in wait, 



Makes many a feint, peeps forth, draws coyly back, 



Then, from some southern ambush in the sky, 



With one great gush of blossoms storms the world. 



A week ago the Sparrow was divine; 



The Bluebird, shifting his light load of song 



From post to post along the cheerless fence, 



Was as a rhymer ere the poet came ; 



But now, O rapture! sunshine winged and voiced, 



Pipe blown through by the warm, wild breath of the West, 



Shepherding his soft droves of fleecy cloud, 



Gladness of woods, skies, waters, all in one, 



The Bobolink has come, and, like the soul 



Of the sweet season vocal in a bird, 



Gurgles in ecstasy we know not what 



Save June! Dear June! Now God be praised for June. 



