the sun at noon
Spring must unbind the icy chains , And send the streamlet o'er the plains ; Call the feather 'd songsters home , That far in southern climates roam : Must bid the springing grass appear , And daisies crown the bright parterre ; Gently distil her silent show ` rs , And propagate her budding flow ` rs ; Thus gathering up her treasures fair , A gift for Summer , rich and rare . She takes the garland bright and gay , Fresh from the blooming lap of May : Unfolds the casings from the flow ` rs , And flings them o'er her sylvan bow ` rs ; Brings all their hidden tints to view , Gives to their leaves a deeper hue : Sends forth the bee and butterfly , On downy pinions soaring high , Or sporting gay from flow ' r to flow ` r , Through the short lived Summer hour . She brings , on every passing breeze , Some fragrant odor from the trees ; Spreads out rich beauties to the eye , And softly breathes her gentlest sigh ; That wakes the ripple on the stream , -- That dances in the sun 's bright beam . But summer beauties vanish soon , -- As shadows dim the sun at noon ; And Autumn comes with aspect mild , Meditation 's favorite child . She takes the gift from Summer fair , -- Unbraids the tresses of her hair , Mellows her fruits , scatters her flow ` rs , And blights the leaves upon her bow ` rs , Then , breathes a mournful sigh around , And whirls them , wither 'd , o'er the ground . Then Winter comes , with tempest wild , Nature 's boisterous , willful child , To bind the streams in icy chains , -- Drive sleet and snow across the plains ; And howling through the wintry sky , The drifting winds shriek loud and high . Thus Winter closes every year , With snow , and ice , and tempest drear .