University of Virginia Library


196

VALENTINE's DAY.

The tuneful choir in amorous strains,
Accost their feather'd loves;
While each fond mate with equal pains,
The tender suit approves.
With chearful hop from spray to spray,
They sport along the meads;
In social bliss together stray,
Where love or fancy leads.
Thro' Spring's gay scenes each happy pair
Their fluttering joys pursue;
Its various charms and produce share,
For ever kind and true.
Their sprightly notes from every shade,
Their mutual loves proclaim;
Till Winter's chilling blasts invade,
And damp th'enlivening flame.

197

Then all the jocund scene declines,
Nor woods nor meads delight;
The drooping tribe in secret pines,
And mourns th'unwelcome sight.
Go, blissful warblers! timely wise,
Th'instructive moral tell!
Nor thou their meaning lays despise,
My charming Annabelle!