Classic Poem

Ah! See them weep—the gaurdians of the trees—
Dryads and hemidryads flock around—
Their deep ton'd Sighs increase the hollow breeze
And their green hair lies scatter'd on the ground.
—Ah! What avails to them this sight sublime—
Tho nature deck'd in crystal looks more gay—
Than genial spring in her soft verdant prime—
Each sprig more dazling than the newborn day—
Tho Iris paints the fields in tints which glow.
More varigated than the diamond mine—
Where the bright Queen of Ocean weaves her bow—
And on the clouds suspends the seal divine.—
While squadrons of hoar frost from zemblas cave—
Incrusting all their tender bodies o'er—
Tearing their limbs their helpless trunks they leave—
Expos'd and naked to the tempests roar.—
Come flora weep with us the dryads cry—
For you must too this awful fate deplore—
Entombd in Ice our trees in ruins lie—
Nor their hack'd forms can gentle spring restore,
Say what will shade you when fierce Leo reigns—
Or where can Pan and silvius safe retire—
When thirsty Sirius drinks the dewy plains—
And Phebus firey Steeds proclaim his Ire.—
Then did our Cool recess asylum yield—
To all the rural powers a sweet retreat—
And when the ploughman drove his team afield—
We gave him shelter from the raging heat.—