Page:The Seasons - Thomson (1791).djvu/105

 High-seen, the Seasons lead, in sprightly dance Harmonious knit, the rosy-finger'd Hours, The Zephyrs floating loose, the timely Rains, Of Bloom ethereal the light-footed Dews, And soften'd into joy the surly Storms. These, in successive turn, with lavish hand, Shower every beauty, every fragrance shower, Herbs, flowers, and fruits; till, kindling at thy touch, From land to land is flush'd the vernal year.

to the surface of enliven'd earth, Graceful with hills and dales, and leafy woods, Her liberal trebles, is thy force confin'd: But, to the bowel'd cavern darting deep, The mineral kinds confess thy mighty power. Effulgent, hence the veiny marble shines; Hence Labour draws his tools; hence burnish'd War Gleams on the day; the nobler works of Peace Hence bless mankind, and generous Commerce binds The round of nations in a golden chain.

' unfruitful rock, itself impregn'd by thee, In dark retirement forms the lucid stone. The lively Diamond drinks thy purest rays, Collected light, compact; that, polish'd bright, And all its native lustre let abroad, Dares, as it sparkles on the fair-one's breast, With vain ambition emulate her eyes. At thee the Ruby lights its deepening glow, And with a waving radiance inward flames. From thee the Sapphire, solid ether, takes Its hue cerulean; and, of evening tinct, The purple-streaming Amethyst is thine. With thy own smile the yellow Topaz burns. Nor deeper verdure dyes the robe of Spring, When