University of Virginia Library

IDYLLIUM VI. CLEODAMUS AND MYRSON.

CLEODAMUS.
Say, in their Courses circling as they tend,
What Season is most grateful to my Friend?
Summer, whose Suns mature the teeming Ground,
Or golden Autumn, with full Harvests crown'd?
Or Winter hoar, when soft reclin'd at Ease,
The Fire fair-blazing, and sweet Leisure please?
Or genial Spring in blooming Beauty gay?
Speak, Myrson, while around the Lambkins play.

MYRSON.
It ill becomes frail Mortals to define
What's best and fittest of the Works divine;
The Works of Nature all are grateful found,
And all the Seasons in their various Round.
But since my Friend demands my private Voice,
Then learn the Season that is Myrson's Choice.
Me the hot Summer's sultry Heats displease;
Fell Autumn teems with pestilent Disease;
Tempestuous Winter's chilling Frosts I fear;
But wish for purple Spring through all the Year.
Then neither Cold nor Heat molests the Morn;
But rosy Plenty fills her copious Horn:
Then bursting Buds their odorous Blooms display,
And Spring makes equal Night, and equal Day.