Ode to January

Unfold the gates of ever-flowing time— Lo! mantled in a showery cloud, While round him rough winds thunder loud, Aquarius sprinkles o'er Of winter's hoary clime The adamantine floor: He pours the Tyber and the Nile, To recompence the last year's spoil.

'Tis he! the two-fac'd Janus comes in view; Wild hyacinths his robe adorn, And snow-drops, rivals of the morn: He spurns the Goat aside, But smiles upon the new Emerging year with pride: And now unlocks, with agat key, The ruby gates of orient day.

Mars and Bellona now suspend the war! Their red hoof'd steeds, with battle worn, To their long vacant stalls return: In icy fetters bound, Beneath th' Antartic star, Seas burst their frozen mound, Far southern seas, releas'd and free, Escape, and rush to liberty.

Thus let my soul, beleaguer'd long with care, Find virtue's calm, sequester'd seat, And trace the vestige of her feet: May each impassion'd thought Meet a safe harbour there, Deem the low world as nought, And freed from folly's magic chain, To wisdom's lore return again.