SUMMER. THE subject proposed.....Invocation... Address to Mr. Dodington....An introductory reflection on the motion of the heavenly bodies; whence the succession of the seasons....As the face of Nature in this season is almost uniform, the progress of the poem is a description of a summer's day....The dawn.... Sun-rising.... Hymn to the sun.... Forenoon.....Summer insects described......Hay-making.......Sheep-shearing........Noon-day......A woodland retreat....Group of herds and flocks....A solemn grove : how it affects a contemplative mind.... A cataract, and rude scene.... View of Summer in the torrid zone....Storm of thunder and lightning.... A Tale....The storm over, a serene afternoon.... Bathing....Hour of walking....Transition to the prospect of a rich well cultivated country; which introduces a panegyric on Great Britain.....Sun-set.....Evening....Night.....Summer meteors.... A comet....The whole concluding with the praise of philosophy. SUMMER. FROM brightening fields of ether fair disclos'd, In pride of youth, and felt through Nature's depth ! And ever-fanning Breezes, on his way; While, from his ardent look, the turning Spring Hence, let me haste into the mid-wood shade, Where scarce a sun-beam wanders thro' the gloom; 10 And on the dark green grass, beside the brink Of haunted stream, that by the roots of oak Rolls o'er the rocky channel, lie at large, ind sing the glories of the circling year. Come, Inspiration! from thy hermit-seat, y mortal seldom found: may Fancy dare, rom thy fixed serious eye, and raptured glance 15 Power of the Deity. Shot on surrounding Heaven, to steal one look And thou, my youthful Muse's early friend, With what an awful world-revolving power 20 25 30 Were first the unwieldly planets launched along 35 That oft has swept the toiling race of Men, And all their laboured monuments away, Minutely faithful: Such THE ALL-PERFECT HAND! When now no more the alternate Twins are fired, 40 4 Early Rising. And, from before the lustre of her face, White break the clouds away. With quickened step, 50 The dripping rock, the mountain's misty top 55 Limps, awkward: while along the forest glade At early passenger. Music awakes 60 The native voice of undissembled joy ; And thick around the woodland hymns arise. Roused by the cock, the soon-clad shepherd leaves His mossy cottage, where with Peace he dwells; 65 And from the crowded fold, in order, drives 70 For is there aught in sleep can charm the wise? To lie in dead' oblivion, losing half The fleeting moments of too short a life; Total extinction of th' enlightened soul ! Or else to feverish vanity alive, 75 Wildered, and tossing thro' distempered dreams? But yonder comes the powerful King of Day, 80 |