  OCTOBERLIKE gallant courtiers, the forest trees Flaunt in their crimson robes with broidered gold; And, like a king in royal purple's fold, The oak flings largess to the beggar breeze. Forever burning, ever unconsumed, Like the strange portent of the prophet's bush, The autumn flames amid a sacred hush; The forest glory never brighter bloomed. Upon the lulled and drowsy atmosphere Fall faint and low the far-off muffled stroke Of woodman's axe, the school-boy's ringing cheer, The watch-dog's bay, and crash of falling oak; And gleam the apples through the orchard trees, Like golden fruit of the Hesperides. DID you see the snowy castle, Shining far off in the air? Did you mark its massy bulwarks, And its gleaming turrets fair? Deep and broad seemed its foundations, Stable as the solid rock, Braving in their stern defiance Tempest roar and battle shock. And its huge and strong escarpment Rose sheer up into the sky, And above its sunset banners Streamed and waved right royally. Hark! throughout that lordly castle Trumpets peal and lightnings glare, And the thunder's haughty challenge Shakes the wide domains of air. Now before the rushing tempest All its cloudy pillars bend, And the leven bolts of heaven Smite its bastions deep, and rend. And the castle sways and totters; A vast breach is in its walls; Now its turrets sink and crumble, And its lofty rampart falls. So I've seen a gorgeous castle, Built of hopes and visions bright, Sink and disappear for ever, Like a phantom of the night. O the gay and glorious castles! How we build them up again But to see them melt and vanish As the clouds dissolve in rain. O my soul! look thou up higher, Where the many mansions be, To that bright and glorious palace That thy Lord hath built for thee. |
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