SUN-JOY

The Database of Ornament

            NOW Summer has come with a calm,
                 And the world is encircled around
            With sunshine and song, like a psalm
                 Revoking the Curse of the Ground.

            Through the length of the trancèd Day
                 Our thoughts go a pilgrimage—
            So far away and so far away,
                 As a bird goes forth o’ the cage!

            For the edict of halcyon peace,
                 That enfreedoms the earth and the sky,
            Brings the birds of our spirit release,
                 And afar into heaven they fly.

            They fly to the gates of the sun,
                 And they travel for love of the west,
            And back, when their rapture is done,
                 They come to us, laden with rest—

            Filled full of the warmth and the light,
                 And flushed with the boon of the air,
            And drowsy for very delight
                 That is almost a Summer-Despair.

            Till darkness itself cannot keep
                 The day and the morrow apart:
            For all last night, while I was asleep,
                 They were singing a song in my heart!

                                                              WILLIAM MACDONALD.