The Alexandria Gazette

POETRY.

ODE TO SPRING:

"Nunc formosissimus annus"--

HAIL to the rosy-footed maid
That comes in greenest garb array'd,
With coral lip impearl'd with dew,
And dimpled cheek of vernal hue:
Sweet maid! of Winter close the dismal reign,
And deck with flowery gems the wither'd plain.
Let rustling zephyrs play around,
With every simple vernal sound:
The lapwing's cry--the linnet's notes,
And song of lark, as high he floats!
And from the bright blue sky let fall the while
The glistening shower, gilt by the golden smile
The thrush thy herald perch'd on high,
Loudly proclaims thy advent nigh;
By moon-light elfin Sprites are seen
To foot it featly on the green;
And nymphs attendant in thy jocund train,
On tip-toe trip across the dew-bespangled plain.
No more the loud winds lash the deep,
Or o'er the groaning forest sweep;
No more the whizzing hail is driv'n
Athwart the lurid vault of Heav'n:
In caves to sleep beneath the polar sky,
The winged demons of the tempest shrieking fly.
The fireside's pleasures now are o'er,
Clean hearth and fire illumined floor;
No more eve's darksome hour endear,
Or force from home-felt bliss the tear:
But Phœbus' flaming car we watch, and fiery wheels,
As down the west of Neptune's realms he steals.
The lowing herd, the neighing steed,
The bleating flock, the flowery mead,
The sparkling brook whose trembling stream
Reflects the dancing sunny beam--
These in their turns our several senses cheer.
While hope with rapture marks the promise of the year.