42
CLYDE;
Each blushing flower, ting'd cloud, and gilded field,
In various lustres grateful tributes yield.
Glad swarm the insects forth, the fishes play,
The cattle wanton, mankind bless his ray.
Healthful and gay, the shepherd leaves his rest,
As early morn first streaks the ruddy east;
His dogs attending, bounds the mountains o'er;
Explores, collects, and counts his fleecy store;
Then tunes his pipe, and with a cheerful lay
Joins the grand hymn, to welcome rising day. 120
The towering lark ascends on pinions strong,
And as she mounts, improves the varying song,
Sweeter and sweeter modulates the sound,
Till song and songster are in ether drowned.
Her numbers clear the shepherd's mind employ,
Who sucks the soul of harmony and joy:
His harmless flock and tender lambs conspire,
To feed humanity's refining fire.
Smooth glide his days in innocence and ease;
The half of earth, and more of heaven he sees; 130
As on the airy hill he lies reclined,
Each prospect swells his self-illumined mind.
At dawn, the sprightly milk-maid band appears,
Whose distant laugh strikes his delighted ears,
In various lustres grateful tributes yield.
Glad swarm the insects forth, the fishes play,
The cattle wanton, mankind bless his ray.
Healthful and gay, the shepherd leaves his rest,
As early morn first streaks the ruddy east;
His dogs attending, bounds the mountains o'er;
Explores, collects, and counts his fleecy store;
Then tunes his pipe, and with a cheerful lay
Joins the grand hymn, to welcome rising day. 120
The towering lark ascends on pinions strong,
And as she mounts, improves the varying song,
Sweeter and sweeter modulates the sound,
Till song and songster are in ether drowned.
Her numbers clear the shepherd's mind employ,
Who sucks the soul of harmony and joy:
His harmless flock and tender lambs conspire,
To feed humanity's refining fire.
Smooth glide his days in innocence and ease;
The half of earth, and more of heaven he sees; 130
As on the airy hill he lies reclined,
Each prospect swells his self-illumined mind.
At dawn, the sprightly milk-maid band appears,
Whose distant laugh strikes his delighted ears,
