The sun of Autumn climbs full fast: He will have quaffed each drop of dew, Ere half the fragrant, heathy lane be passed, The lingerers, they will find scant ears and few. Come, quit your toys, and haste away. But mark ye may not leave behind Your store of smiles, your gladsome talk and gay, mind. Blithe be your course, yet bear in heart The lame and old, and help them on; Master's Full handfuls drop, where they may take a part, Yon slumbering infant in the shade, Grudge not one hour on him to wait While others glean. The work with singing aid, Sing softly in your heart all day Sweet carols to the Harvest's Lord, So shall ye chase those evil powers away That walk at noon-rude gaze and wanton word. But see the tall elm shadows reach Athwart the field, the rooks fly home, The light streams gorgeous up the o'er-arching beecл, With the calm hour soft weary fancies come. In heaven the low red harvest moon, The glow-worm on the dewy ground, Will light us home with our glad burdens soon; Grave be our evening prayers, our slumbers sound. 6. AUTUMN BUDS. "The children crying in the Temple, Hosanna to the Son of David." How fast these autumn leaves decay !— But nearer view the naked spray, And many a bud thine eye will meet The showers and gleams of spring. Such buds of hope are Advent hours: Soft carols faintly ring. So when our Lord in meekness rode Touched by the frost-wind's wing. Yet lurk'd there tender gems beneath, Ere long to bloom in glorious wreath. His little ones came chanting round Hosanna to their King. 7. THE OAK. "What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind ?" COME take a woodland walk with me, And mark the rugged old Oak Tree, Where from the bank the fresh rill springs, And points the waters' silent way Down the wild maze of reed and spray. Known only by the livelier green. There stands he, in each time and tide, He holds his root in faith and power, |