The ARGUMENT. The fubject propofed. Infcribed to the Countess of HART FORD. The Seafon is defcribed as it affects the various parts of Nature, afcending from the lower to the higher; with digreffions arifing from the fubject. Its influence on inanimate Matter, on Vegetables, on brute Animals, and laft on Man; concluding with a diffuafive from the wild and irregular passion of Love, oppofed to that of a pure and happy kind. SPRING. C OME, gentle SPRING, ethereal Mildness, come, While music wakes around, veil'd in a fhower Of fhadowing rofes, on our plains defcend. With unaffected grace, or walk the plain In soft affemblage, liften to my fong, Which thy own Seafon paints; when Nature all AND fee where furly WINTER paffes off, Far to the north, and calls his ruffian blafts: His blafts obey, and quit the howling hill, The fhattered foreft, and the ravag'd vale; While fofter gales fucceed, at whofe kind touch, 15 Diffolving fnows in livid torrents loft, The mountains lift their green heads to the sky. As yet the trembling year is unconfirm❜d, AT laft from Aries rolls the bounteous fun, 20 25 Lifts the light clouds fublime, and spreads them thin, 30 Fleecy and white, o'er all-furrounding heaven. FORTH fly the tepid airs; and unconfin'd, Unbinding earth, the moving foftness strays. Joyous, th' impatient husbandman perceives Relenting Nature, and his lufty fteers 35 Drives from their ftalls, to where the well-us'd plough Lies in the furrow, loofened from the froft. 40 WHITE thro' the neighbouring fields the sower stalks, With measur'd step; and liberal throws the grain 45 Into the faithful bofom of the ground: The harrow follows harsh, and fhuts the scene. BE gracious, HEAVEN! for now laborious Man Has done his part. Ye foftering breezes, blow! Ye foftening dews, ye tender fhowers, defcend! And temper all, thou world-reviving fun, 50 Into the perfect year! Nor ye who live In luxury and ease, in pomp and pride, Think these loft themes unworthy of your ear: 55 The |