A July Night / John Todhunter

A July Night

The dreamy, long, delicious afternoon
That filled the flowers with honey, and made well
With earliest nectar many a secret cell
Of pulping peaches, with a murmurous tune
Lulled all the woods and leas; but now, how soon
The winds have woke to break the sultry spell.
The drowsy flocks that low in the west did dwell,
Like oreads chased fleet madly by the moon!
So, Cleopatra-like has rich July,
A queen of many moods, outdreamed the day
To hold by night wild revel. Odors warm
Come panted with each gust, as royally,
Magnificent alike in calm or storm,
With some voluptuous anger she would play.

~~
John Todhunter (1839-1916)
from Forest Songs, and other poems, 1881

[Poem is in the public domain worldwide]

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