Summer on the Lakes

by Margaret Fuller

　　

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Summer on the Lakes is the title poem in her collection of writings published in 1843, as S.M. Fuller. The lake refers to Mackinaw Island, Michigan. Summer days of busy leisure,Long summer days of dear-bought pleasure,You have done your teaching well;Had the scholar means to tellHow grew the vine of bitter-sweet,What made the path for truant feet,Winter nights would quickly pass,Gazing on the magic glassO'er which the new-world shadows pass;But, in fault of wizard spell,Moderns their tale can only tellIn dull words, with a poor reedBreaking at each time of need.But those to whom a hint sufficesMottoes find for all devices,See the knights behind their shields,Through dried grasses, blooming fields.

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