| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 587. Farewell to Summer |
| | | By George Arnold |
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| SUMMER is fading; the broad leaves that grew | |
| So freshly green, when June was young, are falling; | |
| And, all the whisper-haunted forest through, | |
| The restless birds in saddened tones are calling, | |
| From rustling hazel copse and tangled dell, | 5 |
| “Farewell, sweet Summer, | |
| Fragrant, fruity Summer, | |
| Sweet, farewell!” | |
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| Upon the windy hills, in many a field, | |
| The honey-bees hum slow, above the clover, | 10 |
| Gleaning the latest sweets its blooms may yield, | |
| And, knowing that their harvest-time is over, | |
| Sing, half a lullaby and half a knell, | |
| “Farewell, sweet Summer, | |
| Honey-laden Summer, | 15 |
| Sweet, farewell!” | |
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| The little brook that babbles mid the ferns, | |
| O’er twisted roots and sandy shallows playing, | |
| Seems fain to linger in its eddied turns, | |
| And with a plaintive, purling voice is saying | 20 |
| (Sadder and sweeter than my song can tell), | |
| “Farewell, sweet Summer, | |
| Warm and dreamy Summer, | |
| Sweet, farewell!” | |
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| The fitful breeze sweeps down the winding lane | 25 |
| With gold and crimson leaves before it flying; | |
| Its gusty laughter has no sound of pain, | |
| But in the lulls it sinks to gentle sighing, | |
| And mourns the Summer’s early broken spell,— | |
| “Farewell, sweet Summer, | 30 |
| Rosy, blooming Summer, | |
| Sweet, farewell!” | |
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| So bird and bee and brook and breeze make moan, | |
| With melancholy song their loss complaining. | |
| I too must join them, as I walk alone | 35 |
| Among the sights and sounds of Summer’s waning.… | |
| I too have loved the season passing well.… | |
| So, farewell, Summer, | |
| Fair but faded Summer, | |
| Sweet, farewell! | 40 |
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