JT-35-ODE TO SPRING.

ODE TO SPRING.

Hail! thou lovely vernal season,
Welcome to this cheerless earth,
Welcome to our sense and reason,
Parent of reviving birth.
Earth is full of music sounding,
Nature smiles in blushing grace,
At thy presence swarms abounding,
Singing in their new born race.

Now the groves and distant mountains,
Ope their umbrage to the day,
On the meads along the fountains,
Bleating lambkins frisk and play.
Wintry storms have ceased their blowing,
Gentle breezes fan the sky,
Birds are singing, herds are lowing,
Hungry beasts forget to sigh.

Morning zephyrs wake the roses,
Sweet flow’rs dress the vales below,
On the lawn the swain reposes,
Hears the brooks in murmurs flow;
Larks awake our morning slumbers,
With an early song of praise,
Vocal groves with various numbers,
Fill the earth with tuneful lays.

Come on ye mild refreshing showers.
Swell the bosom of the earth,
Wake up the vegetative powers,
Let them have a fruitful birth
O, let me see the orchards blooming,
Rustics healthy plough the green,
And the milk maid unassuming,
Pensive moving over the scene.

Wake up the heart and tune the lyre,
Sing an anthem to the sky,
Let male and female form the choir,
Raise seraphic music high,
Join the song, ye pensive, fearful,
Send it up to God in heaven,
Let the soul be always cheerful,
Always tranquil, smooth and even.