Page:The Seasons - Thomson (1791).djvu/78

Those looks demure, that deeply pierce the soul.
Where, with the light of thoughtful reason mix'd,
Shines lively fancy and the feeling heart:485
Oh come! and while the rosy-footed May
Steals blushing on, together let ns tread
The morning-dews, and gather in their prime
Fresh-blooming flowers, to grace thy braided hair,
And thy lov'd bosom, that improves their sweets. 490

See, where the winding vale its lavish stores,
Irriguous, spreads. See, how the lilly drinks
The latent rill, scarce oozing thro' the grass,
Of growth luxuriant; or the humid bank,
In fair profusion, decks. Long let us walk, 495
Where the breeze blows from yon extended field
Of blossom'd beans. Arabia cannot boast
A fuller gale of joy, than liberal, thence
Breathes thro' the sense, and takes the ravish'd soul.
Nor is the mead unworthy of thy foot, 500
Full of fresh verdure, and unnumber'd flowers,
The negligence of Nature, wide, and wild:
Where, undisguis'd by mimic Art, she spreads
Unbounded beauty to the roving eye.
Here their delicious task the fervent bees,505
In swarming millions, tend. Around, athwart,
Thro' the soft air, the busy nations fly,
Cling to the bud, and, with inserted tube.
Suck its pure essence, it's etherial soul:
And oft, with bolder wing, they soaring dare 510
The purple heath, or where the wild thyme grows,
And yellow load them with the luscious spoil.

At length the finish'd garden to the view
It's vistas opens, and its alleys green.
Snatch'd thro' the verdant maze, the hurried eye 515

Distracted