The Summer Sunshine
Scattering all sadness
As the night takes wing,
Waking into gladness
Every living thing.
On the hill-tops glancing,
Stealing o'er the meads,
On the river dancing,
Through the bending reeds.
On the mountain burning
Like a sacrifice -
All the landscape turning
To a paradise.
Village roofs caressing
With its gentle smile;
Falling like a blessing
On the holy pile.
Gladdening with its beauty
The simple peasant's breast,
As he goeth to his duty,
As he cometh to his rest.
Gilding scented bowers,
Silvering each spray,
Kissing from the flowers
All their tears away.
Into glad commotion
Rousing up the sea,
Till the mighty ocean
Sparkles gloriously.
In the blackened city,
In the pent-up town,
With a glance of pity
Looking sadly down,
Where wild vice and folly
Their mad orgies hold,
And on sights unholy,
Better left untold.
To creation bringing
Hope without alloy,
O'er the wide earth flinging
Universal joy.
~~
John Askham (1825-1894)
from Descriptive Poems, miscellaneous pieces, etc., 1866
[Poem is in the public domain worldwide]
John Askham biography
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