Influence of the Season on Vegetables. In every bud that blows? If fancy then That inexhaustive flow continual round? power, Yet, though successless, will the toil delight. And thou, AMANDA, come, pride of my song! Come with those downcast eyes, sedate and sweet, Those looks demure, that deeply pierce the soul, Where, with the light of thoughtful reason mix'd, Shines lively fancy and the feeling heart : Oh come! and while the rosy-footed May 470 475 480 485 490 Influence of the Season on Vegetables. The latent rill, scarce oozing through the grass, In fair profusion decks. Long let us walk, Where the breeze blows from yon extended field Of blossom'd beans. Arabia cannot boast A fuller gale of joy, than, liberal, thence 495 Breathes through the sense, and takes the ravish'd soul. Nor is the mead unworthy of thy foot, 500 Full of fresh verdure, and unnumber'd flowers, The negligence of Nature, wide, and wild; Where, undisguis'd by mimic Art, she spreads Here their delicious task the fervent bees, 505 In swarming millions, tend: around, athwart, Through the soft air, the busy nations fly; Cling to the bud, and, with inserted tube, And oft, with bolder wing, they soaring dare 510 The purple heath, or where the wild thyme grows, And yellow load them with the luscious spoil. At length the finish'd garden to the view Its vistas opens, and its alleys green. Snatch'd through the verdant maze, the hurried eye 515 Influence of the Season on Vegetables. Distracted wanders; now the bowery walk The forest darkening round, the glittering spire, But why so far excursive? when at hand, Throws out the snow-drop and the crocus first ; The daisy, primrose, violet darkly blue, And polyanthus of unnumber'd dies; 520 525 The yellow wall-flower, stain'd with iron brown; 530 Anemonies; auriculas, enrich'd With shining meal o'er all their velvet leaves; And full ranunculas, of glowing red. 535 Then comes the tulip-race, where Beauty plays To family, as flies the father-dust, Influence of the Season on Vegetables. The varied colours run; and while they break No gradual bloom is wanting; from the bud, 540 Low-bent, and blushing inward; nor jonquils, 545 Of potent fragrance; nor Narcissus fair, As o'er the fabled fountain hanging still; Nor broad carnations, nor gay-spotted pinks; Nor, shower'd from every bush, the damask rose. With hues on hues expression cannot paint, 550 Of heaven and earth! ESSENTIAL Presence, hail! 560 D Influence of the Season on Animals. Stands each attractive plant, and sucks, and swells At THY Command the vernal sun awakes 565 My theme ascends, with equal wing ascend, 570 My panting Muse! and hark, how loud the woods Invite you forth in all your gayest trim. Lend me your song, ye nightingales! oh pour The mazy-running soul of melody Into my varied verse; while I deduce, 575 From the first note the hollow cuckoo sings, The symphony of Spring; and touch a theme When first the soul of love is sent abroad, In gallant thought, to plume the painted wing; At first faint-warbled. But no sooner grows 580 |