212 



Death of iht Seasons. 



octagonal form. The entire cost of this building, in plain, durable 

 workmanship, will be about $2,500. 



DEATH OF THE SEASONS. 



BY ISABELLA STEVENS. 



( Concluded.) 



11 that fair plain, beneath a tree o'er which 

 A grape vine clambered ; clad in russet hue 

 Stood proud exulting Autumn. The golden 

 Grain was waving in the sun. The aster 

 And the orches their petals bright unfolded. 

 The ripened fruit hung from the vine crowned tree, 



And Autumn, as she gazed upon the scene, 



Laughed in merry scorning. 



" Oh Death," said she — 



" Grim Death, though others fear and dread thy power 



Yet I do not, for blessings rich I pour 



Upon the grateful Earth, and I am called 



Benificent. When I appear Earth holds 



A jubilee, and Poets sing my praise. 



Thou canst not dim this fame so glorious ; 



Speed, thou destroying Angel, speed thy way; 



My onward course must not be stayed by thee.'' 



Thus with her radiant face and flashing eye. 



She boldly stood and hurled her gauntlet 



Of defiance, at all conquering Death. 



E'en while she spoke a figure glided from 



The woods, and stood beside the haughty one ; 



The sunset ray which tipped each tiny leaf 



With gold, now fell upon the face of Death, 



But woke no brightness there. The haughty glance 



Of Autumn fell beneath those wondrous eyes. 



And twilight shadows closed upon the two. 



The conqueror and the conquered. With white lips 



Proud Autumn murmured " Death I go with thee. 



With thee. Oh Death." 



The evening winds caught up 

 The murmuring tone, while the mournful cadence • 

 In the distance died away, and then came 

 Floating back the echo — " Death, Oh Death !" 



