Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
America: Vols. XXV–XXIX. 1876–79.
Monmouth
By Edmund Clarence Stedman (18331908)L
Lunching with lips agleam,
Know you aught of the places
Yielding such fruit and cream?
Glisten the Monmouth hills;
There are the ocean highlands,
Lowland meadows and rills,
Trees with their fruitage low,
Maidens (asking your pardon)
Handsome as cities show.
A beautiful water-fay,
Covered with strange adorning,
Crosses your rippling bay?
She whistles to the shore;
Behind, her hair is darkling,
And the waters part before.
Up to the wharves of the town;
There, unlading her treasures,
Lovingly puts them down.
Here on the western pier;
Look at her jewels’ lustre,
Changed with the changing year!
June his strawberries flings
Over her garniture,
Bringing her exquisite things;
Handing her, everywhere,
Garnets in crate and basket;
Knowing she soon will wear
Raspberries ruby-red,
Trinkets that August gave her,
Over her toilet spread.
Then the peaches are seen,—
Coral and ivory braided,
Fit for an Indian queen.
Proud of his wealth, and bold,
Melons glowing in splendor,
Emeralds set with gold.
Where the forts are astir:
Her speed is a shining arrow’s!
Guns are silent for her.
Bells of the belfried town,
Kissing the wharves, and flinging
All of her jewels down.
Ladies, now would you see?
Leaving your city niches,
Wander awhile with me.