Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE FIRST FIRE OF THE SEASON, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FIRST FIRE OF THE SEASON, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: How it leaps, in dance excited
Last Line: Of the fall.
Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs.
Subject(s): Friendship


HOW it leaps, in dance excited,
How it sleeps, in trance delighted,
How it looms in liquid shining,
How it glooms in wan declining,—
While around the hearth we gather,
One and all,
In the bleak and windy weather
Of the Fall!

Hark! Without the storm is raging,
Fierce the rout the day engaging;
Tramp the rains in steady column,
Timed to strains of music solemn,—
But within, the house is cheery;
There belong
Accents gentle, laughter merry,
Book and song.

Whence art thou, O rare magician,
Weaving now in swift transition
Spells of peaceful incantation
O'er our equal sequestration
Here at home? The world behind us,
Cares forgot,
Closer while the moments bind us,—
Blest our lot.

Friendly flame! Remote Chaldean
Seers of name effaced, Sabean
Shepherds in the elder ages,
Persian bards in mystic pages,
Thee adored, for so divinely
Streamed thy light;
Half we follow, and enshrine thee,
Spirit bright!

For thy genial incandescence
Owns no menial-mingled essence;
Thou wert born of happy seasons,
Child of morn and dew. The reasons
Of our love go back to summers
Long ago,
And our thoughts, like festive comers,
Round thee flow.

Dear the friends each heart remembers,
As in cheer we stir the embers,
Bid the ash renew its beauty,
Sparkle, flash, and glow, till duty,
Through the comfort of the hour,
Wooes our soul,
And we deem its sternest dower
Life's best goal.

So we dream not, visionary,
When we think thee missionary,
Household fire, once more relighted,
Blazing higher,—the while united
Round the hearth of home we gather,
One and all,
In the bleak and windy weather
Of the Fall.





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