Chapter III: Autumn

Thomas Hood, author of the following selection, was born in 1798, at London, where he was editor of the "London Magazine," and died in 1845. He is best known as a humorist, but some of his poems are full of tender feeling.

The autumn is old; The sear leaves are flying; He hath gathered up gold And now he is dying: Old age, begin sighing!

The year's in the wane; There is nothing adorning; The night has no eve, And the day has no morning; Cold winter gives warning.