Classic Poem

From Winter into Spring the year has passed,
As calm and noiseless as the snow and dew —
The pearls and diamonds which adorn his robes —
Melt in the morning, when the solar beam
Touches the foliage like a glittering wand.
Blue is the sky above, the wave below;
Slow through the ether glide transparent clouds
Just wafted by the breeze, as on the sea
White sails are borne in graceful ease along.
Lifting its green spears through the hardened ground
The grass is seen; though yet no verdant shields,
United overhead in one bright roof —
Like that which rose above the serried ranks
Of Roman legions in the battle-plain —
Defend it from assailing sun and shower.
In guarded spots alone young buds expand,
Nor yet on slopes, along the southward sides
Of gentle mountains, have the flowers unveiled
Their maiden blushes to the eyes of Day.
It is the season when Fruition fails
To smile on Hope, who, lover-like, attends
Long promised joys, and distant, dear delights.
It is the season when the heart awakes
As from deep slumber, and, alive to all
The soft, sweet feelings, which from lovely forms
Like odors float, receives them to itself,
And fondly garners with a miser's care;
Lest, in the busy intercourse of life,
They, like untended roses, should retain
No fragrant freshness and no dewy bloom.
To me the coming of the Spring is dear,
As to the sailor the first wind from land,
When, after some long voyage, he descries
The far, faint outline of his native coast.
Rocked by the wave, when grandly rose the gale,
He thought how peaceful was the calm on shore.
Rocked by the wave, when died the gale away,
He dreamed of quiet he should find at home.
So, when I heard the wintry storm abroad,
So, when upon my window beat the rain,
Or when I felt the piercing, arrowy frost,
Or, looking forth, beheld the frequent snow,
Falling as mutely as the steps of Time,
I longed for thy glad advent, and resigned
My spirit to the gloom that Nature wore,
In expectation of the jocund hours,
Which follow in thy train, most welcome Spring!