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).
