Classic Poem

I.

Welcome , sweet southern showers!
Welcome, ye early flowers,
Woo'd by the bee!
Ever gentle and bland
To all wights of the wand
Welcome are ye!

II.

Oft at the wintry fire,
Nursing our hearts' desire
Fondly we dream
Of joy in the breeze—
Singing birds on the trees—
Flowers by the stream

III.

Often our fancy brings
Pictures of sunny things
Home to our hearth,
And we seem as we stray'd
Among sunshine and shade,
Music and mirth.

IV.

Then with unconscious hand
Grasp we the idle wand,
Full of the boy,
When to our sad surprise
Swiftly the vision flies,
Summer and joy!