AMOURS PASSAGERES

By Henry Augustin Beers

Light loves and soon forgotten hates,

Heat-lightnings of the brooding summer sky —

Ye too bred of the summer's heat,

Ye too, like summer, fleet —

Ye have gone by.

Walks in the woods and whispers over gates,

Gay rivalries of tennis and croquet —

Gone with the summer sweet,

Gone with the swallow fleet

Southward away!

Breath of the rose, laughter of maids

Kissed into silence by the setting moon;

Wind of the morn that wakes and blows,

And hastening night that goes

Too soon — too soon!

Meetings and partings, tokens, serenades,

Tears — idle tears — and coy denials vain;

Flower of the summer's rose,

Say, will your leaves unclose

Ever again?