AUTUMN SONG

ACHILLE FRECHETTE

AWAY, ye vain numberless shadows, unsplendid,
Unperfumed, uncolored, mid which my life wended!
Now the gloom of my dream is illumed by her beauty,
                                           Her heart-stirring beauty.

’Neath murky gray skies trailed my heavy-foot hours

On into the bleakness where evening lowers;
To my travail she came with the cheer of her joyance,
                                           Her spirit and joyance.

Fruits fallen, nests vacant, and meadows in stubble,
My path ever hardened by cold airs above;

Oh, the long arid days I went lonely in trouble,
Till the thirst of my heart was allayed by her love,
                                           The wine of her love.

Late flowers, breathe fragrance!  Oh, branches rejoicing
With birds that again come alighting in bliss.

Dear creatures, their anthems a thousand times voicing
My joy that she blesses my lips with her kiss,
                                           Her lips and her kiss! [Page 149]