 | The Anniversaries |  |
21
March 27.
A VERNAL INVOCATION.
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Until 1751, when the New Style was introduced, our forefathers sensibly enough began the year on this day, about the time when the life of the year does begin.
O sweet, sweet Spring, not tremblingly walk forth,
But with imperial steps thine hour make known!
O leave not Winter lord of the sad earth
Beyond his time!—make haste to take thine own,
To hurl the trembling spoiler from his throne!
Keep not thine eager lovers waiting long—
Thou year, be early sweet! thou sun, be early strong!
But with imperial steps thine hour make known!
O leave not Winter lord of the sad earth
Beyond his time!—make haste to take thine own,
To hurl the trembling spoiler from his throne!
Keep not thine eager lovers waiting long—
Thou year, be early sweet! thou sun, be early strong!
No longer keep your blessed cheer away,
Ye Vernal Airs: Earth, haste to be renewed!
On with the gladness of thy green array;
Let not the meadows wait, ye flowery brood;
Make speed to deck the mazes of the wood!
Bloom punctual on thy bank, sweet violet,
Nor, daffodil, to glad thy wonted hill forget!
Ye Vernal Airs: Earth, haste to be renewed!
On with the gladness of thy green array;
22
Make speed to deck the mazes of the wood!
Bloom punctual on thy bank, sweet violet,
Nor, daffodil, to glad thy wonted hill forget!
O lose not, blessed birds, one hour of song,
One hour of love! Sweet Spring, thyself fulfil—
Thy strain, thy flush, thy fragrancy prolong.
O bring not forth thy flowers for frosts to kill,
Nor lend thine airs for eastern blasts to chill:
Bring with thee the full glory of thy dower,
And keep each grace undimmed to Summer's burning hour!
One hour of love! Sweet Spring, thyself fulfil—
Thy strain, thy flush, thy fragrancy prolong.
O bring not forth thy flowers for frosts to kill,
Nor lend thine airs for eastern blasts to chill:
Bring with thee the full glory of thy dower,
And keep each grace undimmed to Summer's burning hour!
List, earnest ears! fond, faithful eyes, look on!
Glad heart, the glory dearly entertain!
O faded flower! thy sweetness is not gone.
O silent bird! still ringeth thy glad strain.
O parted Spring, in me prolong thy reign!
Require thy glory from this heart—resume
Thy nightingale's own song, thy violet's perfume!
Glad heart, the glory dearly entertain!
O faded flower! thy sweetness is not gone.
O silent bird! still ringeth thy glad strain.
O parted Spring, in me prolong thy reign!
Require thy glory from this heart—resume
Thy nightingale's own song, thy violet's perfume!
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