Classic Poem

I

The silver brook came babbling down
From yonder hill-top's snowy crown,
And as he danced along
He filled the air with song;
Right merrily
He sang, and thus sang he:
" The spring is here!
The path is clear
For me to course my way
Thro' woodland shade,
And ferny glade,
And o'er the mosses play;
To dance and prank
Thro' flowery bank,
Down to the river free.
My heart's elate,
For there doth wait
The bride who loveth me,
Who'll sing
The gladsome songs of spring! "

II

The happy bird came flying North;
Out of the Southland came he forth,
And as he winged his way
He sang his roundelay.
Right joyously
He sang, and thus sang he:
" The spring hath come,
And winter numb
Hath sought his arctic home.
The cherry-tree
Hath sweets for me,
And blossoms frolicsome.
The forests deep
So long asleep
Now echo to the rhyme
Of chaps like me
Who've longed to see
The joyous Mating-time,
And sing
The gladsome songs of spring! "

III

The little bud came peeping out
To see what it was all about,
And when he spied the sky
His song went rising high.
Right daintily
He sang, and thus sang he:
" The days are soft,
The sun's aloft,
And soon will come the May.
In dainty hues
In pinks and blues
We'll decorate her way.
With burgeoning
Of petalled wing,
We'll make her pathway sweet.
We'll fill the air
With fragrance rare
Of roses at her feet,
And sing
The gladsome songs of spring! "