"Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present; and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth.

"Let us fill ourselves with costly wine, and ointments, and let no flower of the spring pass by us.

"Let us crown ourselves with rose-buds, before they be withered."

The Wisdom of Solomon, ii. 6—8.

LAYS OF THE SEASONS.

BY MARY HOWITT.

II.

SUMMER.

V'TIS

summer-joyous summer time!

In noisy towns no more abide;

The earth is full of radiant things,
Of gleaming flowers and glancing wings,
Beauty and joy on every side.

'Tis morn ;-the glorious sun is up,

The dome-like heaven is bright and blue; The lark, yet higher and higher ascending, Pours out his song that knows no ending;

The unfolding flowers are brimmed with dew.

When noon is in the flaming sky

Seek we some shadowy, silent wood;
Recline upon a mossy knoll,

Cast care aside, and yield the soul
To that luxurious quietude.

Above, waves wide the linden tree,

With humming-bees the air is thrilled, And through the sleeping hush is heard The sudden voice of the woodland bird, Like sound with which a dream is filled.

Oh pleasant land of idlesse!

Jollity bides not 'neath the trees,
But thought, that roams from folly free,
Through the pure world of poetry,

Puts on her strength in scenes like these!

And sweet it is by lonely meres

To sit, with heart and soul awake,

Where water-lilies lie afloat,

Each anchored like a fairy boat

Amid some fabled elfin lake: