David Rands has kindly shared with readers of the Victorian Web his site about the life and works of W. B. Rands, the prolific writer of children's literature and originator of The Boy's Own Paper. Readers may wish to consult this site for more information about this little-known figure who had an immense influence upon Victorian children. [GPL]
The ash-berry clusters are darkly red;
The leaves of the limes are almost shed;
The passion-flower hangs out her yellow fruit;
The sycamore puts on her brownest suit.
After a silence, the wind complains,
Like a creature longing to burst its chains.
The swallows are gone, I saw them gather;
I heard them murmuring of the weather.
The clouds move fast, the south is blowing;
The sun is slanting; the year is going;
I love to walk where the leaves lie dead,
And hear them rustle beneath my tread.
Last modified 21 August 2005