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Delights from a rising Offspring.

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And nothing strikes your eye but sights of bliss,
All various Nature pressing on the heart;
An elegant sufficiency, content,
Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books,
Ease and alternate labour, useful life,
Progressive virtue, and approving HEAVEN.

These are the matchless joys of virtuous love;
And thus their moments fly. The Seasons thus,
As ceaseless round a jarring world they roll,
Still find them happy; and consenting SPRING
Sheds her own rosy garland on their heads :
Till evening comes at last, serene and mild ;
When after the long vernal day of life,
Enamour'd more, as more remembrance swells
With many a proof of recollected love,
Together down they sink in social sleep;

Together freed, their gentle spirits fly

To scenes where love and bliss immortal reign.

1160

1165

1170

SUMMER.

THE ARGUMENT.

The subject proposed.—Invocation.—Address to Mr. Dodington. -An introductory reflection on the motion of the heavenly bodies; whence the succession of the seasons.-As the face of Nature in this season is almost uniform, the progress of the poem is a description of a summer's day.-The dawn.Sun-rising. Hymn to the Sun.-Forenoon.-Summer insects described. Hay-making.-Sheep-shearing.-Noon-day. -A woodland retreat.-Group of herds and flocks.-A solemn grove: how it affects a contemplative mind.-A cataract, and rude scene.-View of Summer in the torrid zone.— Storm of thunder and lightning.-A tale.-The storm over, a serene afternoon.-Bathing.-Hour of walking.-Tran sition to the prospect of a rich well-cultivated country; which introduces a panegyric on Great Britain.-Sun-set.Evening.-Night.-Summer meteors.A comet.-The whole concluding with the praise of philosophy.

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