A Farewell to the Country

Adieu! the pleasing rural scene, Thick shades and meadows fair and green, The field adorn'd with sheaves of corn, The walk at early hour of morn.

Behold! with green no meads are clad, Behold the thrush sits mute and sad: No lively songster's warbling throat Pours joy, pours music in his note.

How bare, how naked seems yon bed! The pink is gone, the tulip dead: Where is the gay, the odorous flower, That lately blush'd in yonder bower?

So fade the glories of the year, They blossom fair, and disappear; And (melancholy truth!) fond man! Thy life's a flower, thy days a span!

Almighty Sovereign, bounteous Power, Whom every clime and tongue adore: Whose wisdom this vast system plann'd, And form'd the sea, and form'd the land;

Prostrate before thy throne we bow, Parent of circling seasons Thou! Hasten far happier days—and bring " One glorious and eternal spring!"