Page:All quiet along the Potomac and other poems.djvu/148

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I4 2 IN THE FALL.

IN THE FALL.

AWAY to the mountain, away to the fountain ! Hie off to the hill-circled glen ; Go bathe in the billow, clasp waves for a pillow ;

The summer is on us again ! Hearts loving and tender communion surrender When the woods breathe their jubilant call ; "From the cities come hither, ere spring-flowers

wither;" We shall all meet again " in the fall."

There are carpets of flowers spread out in the bowers,

Gay pictures not hung on a nail ; Soft couches of clover in meadows all over

Bestudded with daisies so pale.

There are mirrors not gilded, but in the green builded,

Just polished by breathings of June ; And arches so solemn, where shadow and column

Make twilight beneath them at noon.

All softened and shaded by curtains vine-braided,

Leaf-curtains gold shot with the sun, In the moon s glowing splendor, when evening grows tender,

The emerald hue fades to dun ; Then lamps, angel-lighted for pilgrims benighted,

Are hung from the night s bending arch ; And for lullaby song, all the summer night long

The cricket shall chirp in the larch.

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