University of Virginia Library

SPRING.

Spring, royal, festal, gracious Spring!
Haste thee on thy rainbow wing!
Long enough beneath the rule
Of gloomy Winter, stream and pool,
Grove and garden, flower and tree,
Hath lain—now haste and set them free.
Dreamy, starry, purple Spring,
With the crown and with the wing,
With the wand and with the charm,
Come—and thick delights shall swarm!
Vernal, sunny, breezy Spring,
Thee awaits each beauteous thing,
Earth is panting for thy rise
Upon the cleared and laughing skies,
All her Heart is beating fast
With expectance deep and vast,
For thy presence—Heavenly thing—
Rosy, fairy, dewy Spring!
Banks are calling unto banks,
“Where are our bright Rainbow Ranks?
Our smiling store of buds and bells?”
Breeze to breeze the tidings tells,
“There are incense-sighs abroad—
Is sweet Spring upon his road?”
Haste—haste, Oh! beatific Spring!
Thee awaits each precious thing!
Earth is longing for thy touch,
Earth hath languished long and much;
Now set free her banks and bowers
From the chains of Wintry hours!
Earth thy presence still implores,
And in breathless hope adores,
Like a royal Bride that waits
Beside her City's golden gates,
Beside the thronged and shining wall
Of her Regal Capital!
For the auspicious entry proud
Of her Bridegroom pledged and vowed,
Coming from some far off Land,
To claim her promised, plighted hand,
Royal as herself, and high
In his youthful Sovereignty!
Golden—Gracious—Sunny Spring,
Haste thee here on rapid wing!