Page:May-day and other pieces, Emerson, 1867.djvu/31

Rh The bitterrsweet, the haunting air

Creepeth, bloweth everywhere;

It preys on all, all prey on it,

Blooms in beauty, thinks in wit,

Stings the strong with enterprise,

Makes travellers long for Indian skies,

And where it comes this courier fleet

Fans in all hearts expectance sweet,

As if to-morrow should redeem

The vanished rose of evening's dream.

By houses lies a fresher green,

On men and maids a ruddier mien,

As if time brought a new relay

Of shining virgins every May,

And Summer came to ripen maids

To a beauty that not fades.

The ground-pines wash their rusty green,

The maple-tops their crimson tint,