The Virginia Gazette

ODE on the SPRING.

O Spring begins her smiling Round,
Lavish to paint th'enamell'd Ground:
The Birds exalt their cheerful Voice,
And gay on every Bough rejoice.
The lovely Graces, Hand in Hand,
Knit in Love's eternal Band,
With dancing Step, at early Dawn,
Tread lightly o'er the dewy Lawn.
Where'er the youthful Sisters move,
They fire the Soul to genial Love.
Now, by the River's painted Side,
The Swain delights his Country Bride,
While, pleas'd, she hears his artless Vows;
Above the feather'd Songster wooes.
Soon will the ripen'd Summer yield
Her various Gifts to every Field;
Soon fruitful Trees, a beauteous Show,
With ruby tinctur'd Births shall glow ;
Sweet Smells, from Beds of Lilies born,
Perfume the Breezes of the Morn.
The sunny Day, and dewy Night,
To rural Play my Fair invites
Soft on a Bank of Violets laid,
Cool she enjoys the Evening Shade;
The Sweets of Summer feast her Eye:.
Yet soon, ah soon will the Summer fly.
Attend, my lovely Maid, and know
To profit by the moral Show :
Now young and blooming thou art seen,
Fresh on the Stalk, for ever green:
Now does th'untolded Bud disclose
Full blown to Sight, the blushing Rose;
Yet, once the sunny Season past,
Think not the cozening Scene will last;
Let not the flatterer Hope persuade;
Ah! must I say, that this will fade?
For, see! the Summer posts away,
Sad Emblem of our own Decay.