Ode to Morning.
Youth of the day, delightful morn !1
Thy early beams displayed,2
On balmy wings of Zephyrs borne,3
With blushing light the world adorn4
And spread o’er hill and glade.5
Before thy beams the clouds retire,6
The glittering stars decay ;7
Thy glorious light, thy radiant fire8
With life the slumbering world inspire9
And drive the dews away.10
For thee, combined, the feathered race11
A general chorus sings,12
To hail thy bright, refulgent face,13
While, floating through the ethereal space,14
Th’ echoing music rings.15
At thy return the tulip’s bloom16
A vivid splendour shows ;17
The balmy breezes shed perfume,18
The fields their wonted charm assume,19
And varying sweets disclose.20
The leaves that sip the silver dew,21
The buds and blooming flowers22
Once more their heavenly tints renew ;23
Once more, fresh opening to our view,24
Shake off the pearly showers.25
Oh, hear the lark ! In time be wise,26
And bless the new-born day27
Ye heedless mortals, hear and rise,28
While morning paints the eastern skies,29
And rules with mildest sway.30
