Birds and Nature, Vol. VIII, No 4, November 1900 — Untitled

* * * * * Autumn once more begins to teach;

Sere leaves their annual sermon preach;

And with the southward-slipping sun Another stage of life is done.

The day is of a paler hue, The night is of a darker blue, Just as it was a year ago;

For time runs fast, but grace is slow!

Thou comest, autumn, to unlade Thy wealthy freight of summer shade, Still sorrowful as in past years, Yet mild and sunny in thy tears, Ripening and hardening all thy growth Of solid wood, yet nothing loth To waste upon the frolic breeze Thy leaves, like flights of golden bees.

--Frederick William Faber.