Spring. Addressed to Myra

Again the circling sun in Pisces rides, And up the steep of heaven his coursers guides. Stern winter stalks with sullen pace away, And night resigns her empire to the day. Now various beauty, from the teeming earth, Awakes to life, and rises into birth. Now floods, from frost unbound, spontaneous flow; The scaly breed now vig'rous sport below. New life the vernal sun diffusing wide, New life now quickens in the glassy tide; That life, alas! to fatal wilds a prey, The same soft season gives and takes away. The fishers now the specious bait apply, And, unsuspected, glides the mimic fly; Mean-while the passing cloud and transient shower, Dim the clear mirror in a faithless hour; Thro' the false medium now the fry behold, The glittering wings mistook for native gold. Each springs, impatient of the gawdy prize, And each, grown wise too late, repenting dies. Take heed, ye fair, by this example taught, Such are the wiles by which your sex is caught; In spring's soft season with most caution trust, If men are faithless, to yourselves be just. Superior beauty now adorns the skies; Bright and more bright the vernal mornings rise; Now Kenna's love, fair Albion's silver flower, In modest white adorns the genial hour, The lovely leader of the flowery race, The first in honour, and the first in place, With these, Pomona's blooming train appear, Sweet pledge of plenty to the closing year, Soft Zephyr's breath, and kind prolific rains, With various hues and fragrance fill the plains; All, all rejoice, with nature in her prime, And pleasure wings the feather'd feet of time. Will gentle Myra listen while I sing, Wishful to join the music of the spring? By thee alone kind nature can bestow, One heart-felt joy, that here I wish to know. Thy smile dispenses all that spring can give; For not to live with hope, is not to live.