MONTH OF APPLE BLOSSOMS 113 

 THE RETURN OF SPRING* 



BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW 



From Charles D' 'Orleans 

 Now Time throws off his cloak again 

 Of ermined frost, and wind, and rain, 

 And clothes him in the embroidery 

 Of glittering sun and clear blue sky. 

 With beast and bird the forest rings, 

 Each in his jargon cries or sings; 

 And Time throws off his cloak again 

 Of ermined frost, and wind, and rain. 



River, and fount, and tinkling brook 

 Wear in their dainty livery 

 Drops of silver jewelry; 

 In new-made suit they merry look; 

 And Time throws off his cloak again 

 Of ermined frost, and wind, and rain. 



THE MONTH OF APPLE BLOSSOMS 



BY HENRY WARD BEECHER 



IT MAKES no difference that you have seen forty 

 or fifty springs, each one is as new, every process 

 as fresh, and the charm as fascinating as if you had 



* By permission of the publishers, Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 



