And thus their moments fly. The Seasons thus, To scenes where love and bliss immortal reign. 117 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.-Noonday.-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.-Sunset.-Evening.-Night.- Summer meteors. A comet.-The whole concluding with the praise of Philosophy. FROM brightening fields of ether fair disclosed, 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, 10 By mortal seldom found: may fancy dare, And thou, my youthful Muse's early friend, With what an awful world-revolving power When now no more th' alternate Twins are fired, And Cancer reddens with the solar blaze, 20 30 40 50 |