University of Virginia Library

[O heaven born muse! inspire my humble lay]

O heaven born muse! inspire my humble lay,
To sing the glories of all charming May!
To wake in all an ardent wish to see
The beauties, which have pleased, delighted me.
Would you with more elastic step than ere you trod,
Spring o'er the field and touch the grassy sod;
Would you ere feel your blood with swifter course,
Flow through your veins in all its youthful force;
Would you ere breathe as pure an air as blew,
O'er Eden's garden wet with early dew;
Would you ere feel what never you enjoyed,
By other scenes by other pleasures cloyed;
Would you ere feel, what's far above the rest,
Pleasures which sooth and satisfy the breast;
Rise from your couch before the rising sun,
Has o'er the plain or lofty hill begun
“To shed his orient beams on herb, fruit, flower,
Glittering with dew,” or yet obtained the power
To scatter from before him, far away,
The freshness, beauty of the blushing day.
See now the rising sun from ocean's bed,
Has o'er the earth his golden glories shed;
Hear now the birds, as on extended wing
They clear the air, with notes melodious sing,
And raise to him, to him who gave them birth,
Gave them besides this green, this lovely earth,
Their morning hymn. And will not these inspire
In man emotions purer far, and higher,
Than ere before he felt, or even thought,
Could with such ease be had, such pleasure sought?