On the Arrival of Spring
Now is the young Spring with us: her blue eyes
And sunny smile come flushing through the tears
Rude March hath startled from her; for she hears
The gentle footfall and the wooing sighs
Of coming April, nor to him denies
(Sweet task!) the soothing of her virgin fears.
More balmy and more balmy, as he nears,
Her breath becomes; more sunny bright her eyes.
And now to live! – now to arouse and shake
The wintry torpor from the spirit, - now
To see the early Sun from slumber wake,
And bath in moonshine the uplifted brow;
To shame dull Winter, - time for work, - yet take
Much holiday for art’s and friendship’s sake.
Now is the young Spring with us: her blue eyes
And sunny smile come flushing through the tears
Rude March hath startled from her; for she hears
The gentle footfall and the wooing sighs
Of coming April, nor to him denies
(Sweet task!) the soothing of her virgin fears.
More balmy and more balmy, as he nears,
Her breath becomes; more sunny bright her eyes.
And now to live! – now to arouse and shake
The wintry torpor from the spirit, - now
To see the early Sun from slumber wake,
And bath in moonshine the uplifted brow;
To shame dull Winter, - time for work, - yet take
Much holiday for art’s and friendship’s sake.