Poems (Procter)/A Lament for the Summer

A LAMENT FOR THE SUMMER.
MOAN, O ye Autumn Winds!
  Summer has fled,
The flowers have closed their tender leaves and die;
  The lily's gracious head
All low must lie,
  Because the gentle Summer now is dead.

Grieve, O ye Autumn Winds!
  Summer lies low;
The rose's trembling leaves will soon be shed,
  For she that loved her so,
Alas! is dead,
  And one by one her loving children go.

Wail, O ye Autumn Winds!
  She lives no more
The gentle Summer, with her balmy breath,
  Still sweeter than before
When nearer death,
  And brighter every day the smile she wore!

Mourn, mourn, O Autumn Winds,
  Lament and mourn;
How many half-blown buds must close and die;
  Hopes with the Summer born
All faded lie,
  And leave us desolate and Earth forlorn!