THE SWEET O' THE YEAR

I How can I help from laughing, while The daffodillies at me smile? The dancing dew winks tipsily In clusters of the lilac-tree, And crocus' mouths and hyacinths' Storm through the grassy labyrinths A mirth of pearl and violet; While roses, bud by bud, Laugh from each dainty-lacing net Red lips of maidenhood. II How can I help from singing when The swallow and the hawk again Are noisy in the hyaline Of happy heavens, clear as wine? The robin, lustily and shrill, Pipes on the timber-belted hill; And o'er the fallow skim the bold, Mad orioles that glow Like shining shafts of ingot gold Shot from the morning's bow. III How can I help from loving, dear, Since love is of the sweetened year?— The very insects feel his power, And chirr and chirrup hour on hour; The bee and beetle in the noon, The cricket underneath the moon:— What else to do but follow too, Since youth is on the wing, Lord Life who follows through the dew Lord Love a-carolling.