Volume 4 — SONG.
Reading edition
What magician pulls the string That uncurtains pretty Spring? And the swallow with his wing Against the sky 1 Who brings the branch its green, And the honey-bee a queen? "Is it I?" Said April, "I?" "Yes, 'tis I." What aërial artist limns Rock and cloud, with brush that dims Titian's oils and Hogarth's whims In shape and dye? What Florimel embowers Lawn and lake with arching flowers? "Is it I?" Said bright July, "I?" "Yes, 'tis I." What good genii drop the grains Of brown sugar in the canes? Who fills up the apple's veins With sweetened dew? Who hangs the painted air With the grape and golden pear? Is it you, October? You? Yes, 'tis you. Who careering sweeps the plain, Scoffing at the violet's pain. Echoing back and back again His wild halloo? Who makes the Yule-fire foam Round the happy hearth of home? Is it you, December? You? Aye, 'tis you. T. W. K.
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