The red frost came with his armies

The red frost came with his armies
And camped by the sides of the sea.
The maples and the oaks took on
His gorgeous livery.

They dyed their tents a madder,
Alizarin and brown,
And dipped their banners in the sun
To give their joy renown.

And lo, when twilight sobered
Their dauntless cinnabars,
Along the outposts of the sea
The watch-fires of the stars!

And I for love of roving
Am listed with the king,
Because I knew the password,
"Joy is the only thing!"