by George Meredith (1828 - 1909)
The sweet o' the year
Language: English
Now the frog, all lean and weak, Yawning from his famished sleep, Water in the ditch doth seek, Fast as he can stretch and leap: Marshy king-cups burning near Tell him 'tis the sweet o' the year. Now the ant works up his mound In the mouldered piny soil, And above the busy ground Takes the joy of earnest toil: Dropping pine-cones, dry and sere, Warn him 'tis the sweet o' the year. Now the chrysalis on the wall Cracks, and out the creature springs, Raptures in his body small, Wonders on his dusty wings: Bells and cups, all shining clear, Show him 'tis the sweet o' the year. Now the brown bee, wild and wise, Hums abroad, and roves and roams, Storing in his wealthy thighs Treasure for the golden combs: Dewy buds and blossoms dear Whisper 'tis the sweet o' the year. Now the merry maids so fair Weave the wreaths and choose the queen, Blooming in the open air, Like fresh flowers upon the green; Spring, in every thought sincere, Thrills them with the sweet o' the year. Now the lads, all quick and gay, Whistle to the browsing herds, Or in the twilight pastures grey Learn the use of whispered words: First a blush, and then a tear, And then a smile, i' the sweet o' the year. Now the May-fly and the fish Play again from noon to night; Every breeze begets a wish, Every motion means delight: Heaven high over heath and mere Crowns with blue the sweet o' the year. Now all Nature is alive, Bird and beetle, man and mole; Bee-like goes the human hive, Lark-like sings the soaring soul: Hearty faith and honest cheer Welcome in the sweet o' the year.
First published in Fraser's Magazine, June 1852
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Authorship:
- by George Meredith (1828 - 1909), "The sweet o' the year" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Martin Edward Fallas Shaw (1875 - 1958), "The sweet o' the year", published 1954. [SA chorus or TB chorus a cappella] [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2009-01-13
Line count: 48
Word count: 290