Nor hyacinths, of purest virgin white, 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. 550 With hues on hues expression cannot paint, The breath of Nature, and her endless bloom. HAIL, SOURCE OF BEING! UNIVERSAL SOUL Of heaven and earth! ESSENTIAL PRESENCE, hail! To THER I bend the knee; to THEE my thoughts, 555 Continual, climb; who, with a master-hand, Hast the great whole into perfection touch'd. By THEE the various vegetative tribes, Wrapt in a filmy net, and clad with leaves, Draw the live ether, and imbibe the dew: 560 By THEE dispos'd into congenial soils, Stands each attractive plant, and sucks, and swells The juicy tide; a twining mass of tubes. 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 Into my varied verfe; while I deduce, 575 From the first note the hollow cuckoo sings, groves. WHEN first the soul of love is fent abroad, Warm thro' the vital air, and on the heart 580 Harmonious seizes; the gay troops begin, In gallant thought, to plume the painted wing; And try again the long-forgotten strain, At first faint-warbled. But no sooner grows The soft infusion prevalent, and wide, 585 Than, all alive, at once their joy o'erflows In music unconfin'd. Up-springs the lark, Shrill-voic'd, and loud, the messenger of morn: Ere yet the shadows fly, he mounted sings Amid the dawning clouds, and from their haunts 590 Calls the tuneful nations. Every copse up Deep-tangled, tree irregular, and bush Bending with dewy moisture, o'er the heads Of the coy quiristers that lodge within, Are prodigal of harmony. The thrush And wood-lark, o'er the kind contending throng 395 To let them joy, and purposes, in thought Elate, to make her night excel their day. 600 605 The black-bird whistles from the thorny brake; A melancholy murmur thro' the whole. 'Tis love creates their melody, and all 610 This waste of music is the voice of love; Of pleasing teaches. Hence the glossy kind 615 Can dictate; and in courtship to their mates Pour forth their little souls. First, wide around, 620 They brisk advance; then on a sudden struck, 625 In fond rotation spread the spotted wing, CONNUBIAL leagues agreed, to the deep woods Pleasure, or food, or secret safety prompts; 630 Some to the rude protection of the thorn 635 Commit their feeble offspring: The cleft tree Offers its kind concealment to a few; Their food its insects, and its moss their nests. Or roughening waste, their humble texture weave. 640 In unfrequented glooms, or shaggy banks, Whose murmurs soothe them all the live-long day, 645 Of hazel, pendant o'er the plaintive stream, And bound with clay together. Now 'tis nought But restless hurry thro' the busy air, Beat by unnumber'd wings. The swallow sweeps E 650 Intent. And often, from the careless back Of herds and flocks, a thousand tugging bills Pluck hair and wool; and oft, when unobserv'd, 655 Steal from the barn a straw: Till soft and warm, Clean, and complete, their habitation grows. As thus the patient dam assiduous sits, Not to be tempted from her tender task, Or by sharp hunger, or by smooth delight, 660 Tho' the whole loosened Spring around her blows; Her sympathizing lover takes his stand High on th' opponent bank, and ceaseless sings The tedious time away; or else supplies Her place a moment, while she sudden flits To pick the scanty meal. Th' appointed time 665 Their brittle bondage break; and come to light, The most delicious morsel to their young; 675 The search begins. Even so a gentle pair, |