THE ARGUMENT. 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. Sun-set. Evening. Night. Summer meteors. A comet. The whole concluding with the praise of philosophy. SUMMER. FROM ROM brightening fields of ether fair disclos'd', Child of the Sun, refulgent Summer comes, In pride of youth, and felt thro' Nature's depth: He comes attended by the sultry hours, And ever fanning breezes, on his way; While, from his ardent look, the turning Spring Averts her blushful face; and earth, and skies, All-smiling, to his hot dominion leaves. Hence, let me haste into the mid-wood shade, Where scarce a sun-beam wanders thro' the gloom; And on the dark-green grass, beside the brink Of haunted stream, that by the roots of oak Rolls o'er the rocky channel, lie at large, And sing the glories of the circling year. Come, Inspiration! from thy hermit-seat, By mortal seldom found may Fancy dare, From thy fix'd serious eye, and raptur❜d glance Shot on surrounding Heaven, to steal one look Creative of the Poet, every power Exalting to an ecstasy of soul. And thou, my youthful Muse's early friend, In whom the human graces all unite : gay Pure light of mind, and tenderness of heart; Firm, unremitting, matchless, in their course; Short is the doubtful empire of the night; The dripping rock, the mountain's misty top Limps, aukward while along the forest-glade The native voice of undissembled joy; And thick around the woodland hymns arise. |