INVITATION 



In golden April weather, 



In sun and wind and rain, 

 Let us fare forth and follow 

 Beneath the spring's first swallow 

 By budding break and heather 



To the good brown soil again! 



With rake and seeds and sower, 



And hoe and line and reel, 

 When the meadows shrill with "peeping" 

 And the old world wakes from sleeping, 

 Who wouldn't be a grower 



That has any heart to feel? 



Delve in! The year's before us; 



Spring's promise fills the air. 

 Descendants of Antaeus, 

 The brown earth's touch can free us, 

 Renew us and restore us, 



From the hand o' carking care. 



Work, through the summer golden, 

 And through the autumn's glow, 



Till the months lay down their burden 



In the full garden's guerdon, 



And earth, once more enfolden, 

 Sleeps warm beneath the snow. 



And for our work though showers 

 And autumn frosts destroy 



Our greatest pay's not measured 



In fruit and flower we've treasured, 



But hi the golden hours 

 That brought us health and joy! 



vii 



