Explore "Some Verses: Sonnets: AUTUMN" by Helen Hay Whitney on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The ruddy banners of the Autumn leaves / Toss out a challenge to the waiting snows, / Where Winter stalks from o'er the mountain rows; / This fiery blaze his onward march receives, / A mock defence his coward heart believes, / And turns him sulking to his moated close.
Now Man the confidence of Nature knows, / And feels the mighty heart that loves and grieves.
Not as in rude young March or hoyden June, / Hard in their beauty, laughing thro' their days; / Their fine indifference is out of tune.
In the dark paths we tread in hope and fear / Look we to Autumn and her gracious ways, / The great last swan-song of the dying year.