| Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. | | | | III. Indian Summer | | By Thomas Buchanan Read (1822–1872) |
| | | IT is the season when the light of dreams | |
| Around the year in golden glory lies;— | |
| The heavens are full of floating mysteries, | |
| And down the lake the veiléd splendor beams. | |
| Like hidden poets lie the hazy streams, | 5 |
| Mantled with mysteries of their own romance, | |
| While scarce a breath disturbs their drowsy trance. | |
| The yellow leaf which down the soft air gleams, | |
| Glides, wavers, falls, and skims the unruffled lake. | |
| Here the frail maples and the faithful firs | 10 |
| By twisted vines are wed. The russet brake | |
| Skirts the low pool; and starred with open burrs | |
| The chestnut stands. But when the north-wind stirs, | |
| How like an arméd host the summoned scene shall wake! | | | | |
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