Classic Poem

XXI.

At thy approach, the wild Waves' loud uproar,
And foamy Surges of the mad'ning Main,
Forget to heave their Mountains to the Shore;
Diffus'd into the level of the Plain.
For thee, the Halcyon builds her Summer's-nest;
For thee, the Ocean smooths her troubled Breast,
Gay from thy placid Smiles, in thy own purple Drest.

XXII.

Have ye not seen, in gentle Even-tide,
When Jupiter the Earth hath richly showr'd,
Striding the Clouds, a Bow dispredden-wide
As if with Light inwove, and gayly flowr'd
With bright Variety of blending Dies?
White, purple, yellow melt along the Skies,
Alternate Colours sink, alternate Colours rise.

XXIII.

The Earths embroidery then have ye ey'd,
And smile of Blossoms, yellow, purple, white;
Their vernal-tinctur'd Leaves, luxurious, died
In Flora 's Liv'ry, painted by the Light.
Lights' painted Children in the Breezes play,
Lay out their dewy Bosoms to the Ray,
Their soft Enamel spread, and beautify the Day.

XXIV.

From the wide Altar of the foodful Earth
The Flow'rs, the Herbs, the Plants, their Incense roll;
The Orchards swell the Ruby-tinctur'd Birth;
The Vermil-gardens breath the spicy Soul.
Grateful to May , the Nectar-spirit flies,
The wafted Clouds of lavish'd Odours rise,
The Zephyr's balmy Burthen, worthy of the Skies.

XXV.

The Bee , the golden Daughter of the Spring ,
From Mead to Mead, in wanton Labour, roves,
And loads its little Thigh, or gilds its Wing
With all the Essence of the flushing Groves:
Extracts the aromatick Soul of Flow'rs,
And, humming in Delight, its waxen Bow'rs
Fills with the luscious Spoils, and lives Ambrosial-Hours.