Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small]

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,
And from the bosom of yon dropping cloud,

While music wakes around, veil'd in a fhower

Of fhadowing rofes, on our plains defcend.

[merged small][ocr errors]

With unaffected grace, or walk the plain
With innocence and meditation join'd

In soft affemblage, liften to my fong,

Which thy own Seafon paints; when Nature all
Is blooming and benevolent, like thee.

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;

[ocr errors]

While fofter gales fucceed, at whofe kind touch, 15

[blocks in formation]

Diffolving fnows in livid torrents loft,

The mountains lift their green heads to the sky.

As yet the trembling year is unconfirm❜d,
And WINTER oft at eve resumes the breeze,
Chills the pale morn, and bids his driving fleets.
Deform the day delightless; so that scarce
The bittern knows his time, with bill ingulpht
To fhake the founding marfh; or from the fhore
The plovers when to scatter o'er the heath,
And fing their wild notes to the liftening waste.

AT laft from Aries rolls the bounteous fun,
And the bright Bull receives him. Then no more
Th' expanfive atmosphere is cramp'd with cold;
But, full of life and vivifying foul,

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.
There, unrefufing, to the harness'd yoke
They lend their shoulder, and begin their toil,
Cheer'd by the fimple song and foaring lark.
Meanwhile incumbent o'er the shining share
The mafter leans, removes th' obftructing clay,
Winds the whole work, and fidelong lays the glebe,

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:
Such themes as thefe the rural MARO fung
To wide-imperial ROME, in the full height
Of elegance and tafte, by GREECE refin❜d.
In antient times, the facred plough employ'd
B 3

55

The

« PreviousContinue »