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SONNET: JULY, 1878 by CONSTANCE CAROLINE WOODHILL NADEN

First Line: LIKE WAVES THAT RISE AND FALL, THE MORNING SHEEN
Last Line: AND LIGHT SOME PENSIVE HEART BEFORE THEY DIE.
Subject(s): SUMMER;

LIKE waves that rise and fall, the morning sheen
Glows between quivering leaves, which fain would fling
Their dust and blight to breezes, murmuring
Sweet May-time legends 'mid the sombre green.
Alas for wistful eyes, that have not seen
The promised loveliness: for changeful Spring
Has quickly passed, and summer does but bring
Scorched buds and flowers, that tell what might have been.

The trees are dark against the tender blue;
A deeper shade has bronzed the purple beech,
But even yet, the red leaves bud anew:
And thus, 'mid barren splendours of July,
Fresh, brilliant hopes burst forth in glowing speech,
And light some pensive heart before they die.





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