Affaire d’Amour

For E. W. W. ONE pale November day   Flying Summer paused,           They say:   And growing bolder,   O’er rosy shoulder Threw her lover such a glance That Autumn’s heart began to dance.           (O happy lover!) A leafless peach-tree bold   Thought for him she smiled,           I ’m told;   And, stirred by love,   His sleeping sap did move, Decking each naked branch with green To show her that her look was seen!           (Alas, poor lover!) But Summer, laughing, fled,   Nor knew he loved her!           ’T is said   The peach-tree sighed,   And soon he gladly died: And Autumn, weary of the chase Came on at Winter’s sober pace           (O careless lover!)