TO M***, ON HER BIRTH-DAY.
Reading edition
TO M***, ON HER BIRTH-DAY.
By William Cutter.
What though the skies of winter Look cold and cheerless now! What though earth wears no mantle But that of ice and snow! Though trees, all bare and leafless, Stretch up their naked arms, In sad and mournful silence, To brave the wintry storms! There is enough of sunshine, Fond memory will say, Around this morning clustered— This is thy natal day!
What though the birds of summer, Flown far and long away, In gentler climes are warbling, Their loved and grateful lay! What though, in field and garden, No fragrant incense pours From nature's thousand altars— Her blossoms and her flowers! There's music sweet as angels', And fragrance sweet as May, In the thoughts that breathe and blossom Around thy natal day!
To me, the skies above us Are bright as summer's noon! And trees, in crystal blossoms, More brilliant than in June! There's music in the wintry blast— There's fragrance in the snow— And a garb of glorious beauty On every thing below! For oh! affection, wakened With morning's earliest ray, Has never ceased to whisper— This is thy natal day!