Nature

Seasons

by William Allingham 1824–1889

From Rhymes for the Young Folk (undated Cassell edition)

Nature

In Spring-time, the Forest,
In Summer, the Sea,
In Autumn, the Mountains,
In Winter,--ah me!

How gay, the old branches
A-swarm with new buds,
The primrose and bluebell
Fresh-blown in the woods,
All green things unfolding,
Where merry birds sing!
I love in the Woodlands
To wander in Spring.

What joy, when the Sea-waves,
In mirth and in might,
Spread purple in shadow,
Flash white into light!
The gale fills the sail,
And the gull flies away;
In crimson and gold
Sets the long Summer Day.

O pride! on the Mountains
To leave earth below;
The great slopes of heather,
One broad purple glow;
The loud-roaring torrent
Leaps, bound after bound,
To plains of gold Autumn,
With mist creeping round

Ah, Wind, is it Winter?
Yes, Winter is here;
With snow on the meadow,
And ice on the mere.
The daylight is short,
But the firelight is long;
Our skating's good sport;
Then story and song.

In Spring-time, the Forest,
In Summer, the Sea,
In Autumn, the Mountains,--
And Winter has glee.

MLA

Allingham, William. “Seasons.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/allingham/25/.

Chicago

Allingham, William. “Seasons.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/allingham/25/.

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