I.
Now, Spring the year’s contracted brow
Unknits, and robes in brightest green
The trees; and, victims to the plough,
Fresh flowers are strew’d where snows were seen.
The honours of the time complete,
Come forth, and welcome in the spring,
Which spreads a carpet for thy feet,
A verdant broider’d offering
For thee, whom, honour’d as her queen,
She mourns away, and welcomes seen.
II.
Here in this flowing mirror see,
Worthy of thy reflected face,
Exulting in its waters free,
Charms which art’s rivalry disgrace.
The bygone waters would return,
The waters present stay their course;
The coming waters from their urn
A passage prematurely force;
All jealous, striving to possess
The image of thy loveliness.
III.
Nature is eloquent to teach:
Her lessons do not thou disdain:
The birds, though unendow’d with speech,
Can carol love, in song complain.
Come, seek their school: their love-taught notes
The text of nature will expound;
The thrilling music of their throats
Teach us what bliss in love is found;
And all their pretty wanton ways,
Mutely reprove our dull delays.