Classic Poem

Fair is love whose footstep wanders
'Mid the sunny meads of spring;
Love that smiles and laughs and ponders
While the swallow's on the wing;
Fair and tender,
Full of splendour,
Full of thoughts the roses bring
— — Full of dreams the roses bring.

Sweet is love when fervent summer
Fills the fields with flowers and fruit;
When strong passion, swift-winged comer,
Wakes wild echoes with his lute;
Songs of sweeter
Note and metre
Make spring's softest music mute
— — Make spring's sweetest music mute.

Yet life's autumn brought my treasure.
I was sad and tired and old.
Worn and weary beyond measure,
When thy face I did behold:
Sweet love found me,
Saved and crowned me,
When the corn was turning gold
— — When the corn was turning gold.