Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Andrew Lang 1844–1912

Scythe Song

Lang-And

MOWERS, weary and brown, and blithe,

What is the word methinks ye know,

Endless over-word that the Scythe

Sings to the blades of the grass below?

Scythes that swing in the grass and clover,

Something, still, they say as they pass;

What is the word that, over and over,

Sings the Scythe to the flowers and grass?

Hush, ah hush, the Scythes are saying,

Hush, and heed not, and fall asleep;

Hush, they say to the grasses swaying;

Hush, they sing to the clover deep!

Hush—’t is the lullaby Time is singing—

Hush, and heed not, for all things pass;

Hush, ah hush! and the Scythes are swinging

Over the clover, over the grass!