Classic Poem

ODE XXIV.

WINTER DEFEATED.

FROM BURGER .

I.

See! where stern winter's icy hand
Unrobes the poplar tree;
The fields, their Mayclothes lost, all naked stand;
Their hues of red, white, blue, no more I see;
Buried in snows they sleep, and live no more to me.

II.

Yet flow'rets sweet, can I for you
The death-song sad indite,
When I my lovely loving charmer view,
In more than all your vernal beauties bright,
With forehead white, red lip, and eyes of azure light?

III.

Ye blackbirds, whistling thro' the vale,
Ye nightingales, that charm the grove,
In vain your melting strains my ear assail,
For silver-voic'd is she, the girl I love,
And sweet her breath as gales, o'er hyacinth-beds that rove.

IV.

When of her lips I taste the bliss,
Full happiness I seem to meet:
More rich to me the honey-breathing kiss
Than mulberry fragrant, or than cherry sweet;
What more, Love, can I wish? In thee, fair Spring I greet.