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. Haymaking. 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, 5 Hence, let me haste into the midwood shade, Where scarce a sunbeam wanders through the gloom; And on the dark-green grass, beside the brink 11 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, 15 By mortal seldom found : may Fancy dare, From thy fixed serious eye, and raptured glance Shot on surrounding heaven, to steal one look d Creative of the Poet, every power 20 25 30 And teach me to deserve thy just applause. With what an awful, world-revolving power 35 40 When now no more th' alternate Twins are fired, 45 50 1 And from the bladed field the fearful hare 60 Falsely luxurious! will not Man awake, And, springing from the bed of sloth, enjoy The cool, the fragrant, and the silent hour, To meditation due and sacred song? 70 For is there aught in sleep can charm the wise ? To lie in dead oblivion, losing half The fleeting moments of too short a life; Total extinction of th’enlightened soul ! Or else, to feverish vanity alive, 75 Wildered, and tossing through distempered dreams? Who would in such a gloomy state remain Longer than Nature craves, when every Muse And every blooming pleasure wait without, To bless the wildly-devious morning walk ? 80 But yonder comes the powerful King of Day, Rejoicing in the east. The lessening cloud, The kindling azure, and the mountain's brow Illumed with fluid gold, his near approach Betoken glad. Lo! now, apparent all, Aslant the dew-bright earth and colored air, He looks in boundless majesty abroad; And sheds the shining day, that burnished plays On rocks, and hills, and towers, and wandering streams, High gleaming from afar. Prime cheerer, Light! 90 Of all material beings first and best! Eflux divine! Nature's resplendent robe ! Without whose vesting beauty all were wrapped In unessential gloom! and thou, O Sun! 85 |