SUMMER DAYS.

By Marietta Holley

Like emerald lakes the meadows lie,

And daisies dot the main;

The sunbeams from the deep blue sky

Drop down in golden rain,

And gild the lily's silver bell,

And coax buds apart,

But I miss the sunshine of my youth,

The summer of my heart.

The wild birds sing the same glad song

They sang in days of yore;

The laughing rivulet glides along,

Low whispering to the shore,

And its mystic water turns to gold

The sunbeam's quivering dart,

But I miss the sunshine of my youth,

The summer of my heart.

The south wind murmurs tenderly

To the complaining leaves;

The Flower Queen gorgeous tapestry

Of rose and purple weaves.

Yes, Nature's smile, the wary while,

Wears all its olden truth,

But I miss the sunshine of my heart,

The summer of my youth.