Page:Memoir and poems of Phillis Wheatley, a native African and a slave.djvu/145

Rh Of an eternal Spring?

May raptures kindle on my tongue,

And start a new, eternal song,

Which ne'er shall cease to ring!

Esteville fire begins to burn;

The auburn fields of harvest rise;

The torrid flames again return,

And thunders roll along the skies.

Perspiring Cancer lifts his head,

And roars terrific from on high;

Whose voice the timid creatures dread,

From which they strive with awe to fly.

The night-hawk ventures from his cell,

And starts his note in evening air;

He feels the heat his bosom swell,

Which drives away the gloom of fear.

Thou noisy insect, start thy drum;

Rise lamp-like bugs to light the train;

And bid sweet Philomela come,

And sound in front the nightly strain.

The bee begins her ceaseless hum,

And doth with sweet exertions rise: