(4)
A SUMMER PIECE.
WHen the trees all their beautiful verdure renew,
and the meadows looks charmingly gay,
When ſmiling Creation looks blooming to view,
replete with the beauties of May.
When the light-hearted ſhepherd chants muſical ſtrains
as he pipes to his ſlocks on the hill;
And the lambkins delighted ſkip blyth o'er the plains,
or friſk by the murmuring rill.
When the cows round the country a gadding repair,
or beneath the cool ſhade ſhun the heat,
When the crimſon-cheek'd milk-maid does kindly prepare,
for her ſweet-heart a ſyllabub treat.
When the country girls wantonly ſport in the deep,
ſo cautious, that all muſt be huſh,
Yet oft they ſly ruſtic procures a full peep,
from the ſide of ſome hillock or buſh.
At eve when the lads and the laſſes do meet,
in a circle to dance on the green,
What native ſimplicity void of deceit,
and modeſty ſtampt on their mein;
When the birds ſeem inſpir'd by the ſmiling, ſerene,
in muſical melody vie;
And the hares midſt the corn fields they ſafely remain,
or ſecure in the green meadows lie.
In a ſnug rural cottage ſurrounded with trees,
where murmuring rivulets glide,
My attendants be plenty, contentment and eaſe,
in ſolitude let me reſide:
Where grant me kind Powers in this ſeaſon of love,
a fond fair one my bleſs to compleat,
Whole tender endearments can ſadneſs remove,
and imparadiſe this my retreat.
