LESSON 30 A SUMMER DAY

A SUMMER DAY

1. This is the way the morning dawns:

Rosy tints on flowers and trees,

Winds that wake the birds and bees,

Dewdrops on the fields and lawns—

This is the way the morning dawns.

2. This is the way the sun comes up:

Gold on brook and glossy leaves,

Mist that melts above the sheaves [1] ,

Vine, and rose, and buttercup [2] —

This is the way the sun comes up.

3. This is the way the river flows:

Here a whirl [3] and there a dance;

Slowly now, then like a lance [4] ;

Swiftly to the sea it goes—

This is the way the river flows.

4. This is the way the rain comes down:

Tinkle, tinkle, drop by drop,

Over roof and chimney-top;

Boughs that bend, and skies that frown [5] —

This is the way the rain comes down.

GOLD ON BROOK AND GLOSSY LEAVES.

5. This is the way the daylight dies:

Cows are lowing in the lane,

Fireflies [6] wink on hill and plain:

Yellow, red, and purple skies—

This is the way the daylight dies.

* * *

[1] sheaves: Bundles of stalks of wheat or oats.

[2] buttercup: A wild yellow cup shaped flower.

[3] whirl: Spinning round.

[4] lance: A long spear.

[5] frown: The dark, heavy clouds are like the frown on a man's face.

[6] fireflies: Insects that give out a twinkling light at night.