Influence of the Season on Vegetables. In every bud that blows? If fancy then Ah what shall language do? ah where find words To life approaching, may perfume my lays With that fine oil, those aromatic gales, 470 475 That inexhaustive flow continual round? Yet, though successless, will the toil delight. Come then, ye virgins and ye youths, whose hearts And thou, AMANDA, come, pride of my song! 480 Come with those downcast eyes, sedate and sweet, 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 495 Of blossom'd beans.. Arabia cannot boast A fuller gale of joy, than, liberal, thence 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 To family, as flies the father-dust, Influence of the Season on Vegetables The varied colours run; and while they break Low-bent, and blushing inward; nor jonquils, 540 545 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 The breath of Nature, and her endless bloom. Hail, SOURCE OF BEING! UNIVERSAL SOUL Of heaven and earth! ESSENTIAL PRESENCE, hail! Draw the live ether, and imbibe the dew: 560 By THEE dispos'd into congenial soils, Influence of the Season on Animals. Stands each attractive plant, and sucks, and swells At THY command the vernal sun awakes By wintry winds; that now in fluent dance, 565 570 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, Warm through the vital air, and on the heart Harmonious seizes; the gay troops begin, 580 In gallant thought, to plume the painted wing; And try again the long-forgotten strain, |