SPRING [Dedicated, 1728, to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Hertford, in a letter in which the poet writes- As this poem grew up under your encouragement, it has therefore a natural claim to your patronage.' First published early in 1728 (1,082 11.); last edition in author's lifetime published 1746 (1,176 II.).] THE ARGUMENT The subject proposed. Inscribed to the Countess of Hartford. The Season is described as it affects the various parts of nature, ascending from the lower to the higher; and mixed with digressions arising from the subject. Its influence on inanimate matter, on vegetables, on brute animals, and last on Man; concluding with a dissuasive from the wild and irregular passion of Love, opposed to that of a pure and happy kind.* COME, gentle Spring, ethereal mildness, come; O Hartford, fitted or to shine in courts 6 *The above is the Argument prefixed to the last edition (1746) published in the author's lifetime. It is the same as the Argument of 1730, except that in the earlier edition the Countess of Hartford is designated 'Lady Hertford'; This Season' appears for 'The Season'; and instead of 'pure and happy' in the concluding note we have purer and more reasonable' in the original form of the Argument. 6 5 Hertford 1728, 1729, 1730, 1738; Hartford 1744, 1746. The second edition (1729) is an exact reprint of the first (1728). With innocence and meditation joined And see where surly Winter passes off Far to the north, and calls his ruffian blasts : His blasts obey, and quit the howling hill, The shattered forest, and the ravaged vale; While softer gales succeed, at whose kind touch, Dissolving snows in livid torrents lost, The mountains lift their green heads to the sky. As yet the trembling year is unconfirmed, ΙΟ And Winter oft at eve resumes the breeze, Lifts the light clouds sublime, and spreads them thin, Fleecy, and white o'er all-surrounding heaven. Forth fly the tepid airs; and unconfined, Unbinding earth, the moving softness strays. Joyous the impatient husbandman perceives Relenting Nature, and his lusty steers 30 Drives from their stalls to where the well-used plough Lies in the furrow loosened from the frost. There, unrefusing, to the harnessed yoke 9 Which] That 1730-38. ི 40 They lend their shoulder, and begin their toil, With measured step, and liberal throws the grain The harrow follows harsh, and shuts the scene. Be gracious, Heaven, for now laborious man Have held the scale of empire, ruled the storm 49 part] due 1728-38. 1728, and so till 1730. 51 world-reviving] influential 55 'Twas such as these 1728-38. 56 wide-imperial Rome] the full Roman Court 1728-38; in all its height 1728-38. 57 by Greece refined added in 1744. 58-62 The sacred plow Employed the kings and fathers of mankind In ancient times. And some, with whom compared You're but the beings of a summer's day, Have held the scale of justice, shook the lance 1728-38. 63 victorious] descending 1728, 1730, 1738. Disdaining little delicacies, seized The plough, and greatly independent scorned Ye generous Britons, venerate the plough; Nor only through the lenient air this change 70 80 90 65, 66 scorned 64 Disdaining] Unused to 1728, 1730, 1738. All the vile stores corruption can bestow] lived 1728, 1730, 1738. 67 venerate] cultivate 1728-38. 71 domain] extent 1728-38. 78 Nor thro' the lenient air alone, this change 1728-38. 81 steaming] streaming (a misprint) 1730-38. 82 verdant 173038. 87 withered] brown-browed 1728-38. Till the whole leafy forest stands display'd Where the deer rustle through the twining brake, By Nature's swift and secret-working hand, Within its crimson folds. Now from the town, Where freshness breathes, and dash the trembling drops From the bent bush, as through the verdant maze Or taste the smell of dairy; or ascend One boundless blush, one white-empurpled shower 110 If, brushed from Russian wilds, a cutting gale The full-blown Spring through all her foliage shrinks, 120 104 trembling] lucid 1728-38. 105 verdant] fuming 1728107 diary (a misprint) 1730-38. IIO snow-empurpled 1728, till 1730. 112 Hurries] Travels 1728-38. 38. 115 humid] foggy 1728-38. 116 clammy] bitter 1728-38. 119 Joyless and dead, a] Into a smutty 1728-38. |