Page:The Seasons - Thomson (1791).djvu/197

 When heaven descends in showers; or bends the bough, When Summer reddens, and when Autumn beams; Or in the wintry glebe whatever lies Conceal'd, and fattens with the richest sap: These are not wanting; nor the milky drove, Luxuriant, spread o'er all the lowing vale; Nor bleating mountains; nor the chide of streams, And hum of bees, inviting sleep sincere Into the guiltless breast, beneath the shade, Or thrown at large amid the fragrant hay: Nor ought besides of prospect, grove, or song, Dim grottos, gleaming lakes, and fountain clear. Here too dwells simple truth; plain innocence; Unsullied beauty; found unbroken youth, Patient of labour, with a little pleas'd; Health ever-blooming; unambitious toil; Calm contemplation, and poetic ease.

others brave the flood, in quest of gain, And beat, for joyless months, the gloomy wave. Let such as deem it glory to destroy, Rush into blood, the sack of cities seek; Unpierc'd, exulting in the widow's wail, The virgin's shriek, and infant's trembling cry. Let some, far-distant from their native foil, Urg'd or by want or harden'd avarice, Find other lands beneath another sun. Let this thro' cities work his eager way, By legal outrage, and establish'd guile, The social sense extinct; and that ferment Mad into tumult the seditious herd, Or melt them down to slavery. Let these Insnare the wretched in the toils of law, Fomenting discord, and perplexing right, An