The summer waltzing in with hollyhocks
Held sprays of long-stemmed lilies in her arms.
Their fragrance bade the dozing four-o'clocks
Lift high their heads to greet her lambent charms.
She ran with golden sandals through the fields
That bronzed to harvest glory at her touch.
(How gentle is the scepter summer wields!)
All lavishly she filled the empty hutch;
Then quietly beside the slowing stream
She built an altar fire and bowed her head.
I closed my eyes a little while to dream
And unawares all noiselessly she fled.
I could not call her back, then in my grief
I wept because her stay had been too brief.
