Autumn

The autumn comes, a maiden

In slenderness and grace,

With nodding rice-stems in her

And lilies in her face.

In flowers of grasses she is clad;

And as she moves along,

Birds greet her with their cooing

Like bracelets' tinkling song.

A diadem adorns the

Of multitudinous stars;

Her silken robe is white moonlight,

Set free from cloudy bars;

And on her face (the radiant moon)Bewitching smiles are shown:

She seems a slender maid, who

Will be a woman grown.

Over the rice-fields, laden

Are shivering to the breeze;

While in his brisk caresses

The blossomed-burdened trees;

He ruffles every

Where blossoms kiss and part,

And stirs with lover's fancies

The young man's eager heart.

This English translation of "Autumn" was composed by Arthur W.

Ryder (1877-1938).