Approach Of Winter

The Autumn day now fades away,      The fields are wet and dreary;      The rude storm takes the flowers of May,      And Nature seemeth weary;      The partridge coveys, shunning fate,      Hide in the bleaching stubble,      And many a bird, without its mate,      Mourns o'er its lonely trouble.      On hawthorns shine the crimson haw,      Where Spring brought may-day blossoms:      Decay is Nature's cheerless law--      Life's Winter in our bosoms.      The fields are brown and naked all,      The hedges still are green,      But storms shall come at Autumn's fall,      And not a leaf be seen.      Yet happy love, that warms the heart      Through darkest storms severe,      Keeps many a tender flower to start      When Spring shall re-appear.      Affection's hope shall roses meet,      Like those of Summer bloom,      And joys and flowers shall be as sweet      In seasons yet to come.