SUMMER FLOWERS,
A CITIZEN'S LAMENT.
Away with summer flow'rs,Twine not the wreath for me,Unbind the myrtle from the rose,And pansy, emblem of repose,Far let them scattered be;The best, the loveliest, let them part,Their very sweetness breaks my heart.
Away with summer flow'rs,Let sunshine cease to glow,Bring back the days of sombre hue,And heav'n without a glimpse of blue,And earth in vest of snow.Then weave the green perfuméd boughIn fadeless verdure for my brow.
To see the length'ning days,To feel the glowing hours,As step by step, the smiling springSteals on her bright and glorious wing,And strews our path with flow'rs;This may be joy, but me it sendsWarnings of banishment to friends.
Soon as the rose's bloomBreaks up the social tie,And those whom winter gather'd roundThe cheering hearth, no more are found,But east and west they fly;Some roam the mountain, some the deep,But, ah! leave those at home to weep.
'Midst winter's sullen blast,How many a friendly bandCheered the dark moments as they passed,And bid me think they fled too fastWhile circled hand in hand;But summer breaks the charming spell,And makes me feel, I lov'd too well!
Now, 'midst the fairest glow,The scene with clouds is drear,And empty mansions crowd the street,No hand to beckon, eye to greet,Or friendly voice to cheer;The colony of love is shaken,And summer leaves our hall forsaken!
Away, then, summer flowers!Thou glowing rose, away!Come let me wreathe the gloomy bowersWith cypress bathed in stormy showers,Where sunbeams never stray;But let the flow'r of snowy crestImpart its chillness to my breast.
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