Poems (Dodd)/Spring
For works with similar titles, see Spring.
SPRING.
Daughter of light! thy fairy step Steals softly over vale and plain,And with thy bright and joyous smile, Beauty and life awake again.
The snow-wreaths, that so long had crowned, Have melted from the purple hills;And icy chains, which bound them fast, Are loosened from the leaping rills.
O'er all the earth, where late was spread A virgin robe of stainless white,The fresh, young grass is springing up, So welcome to our longing sight.
The trees that stood through winter storms All bare like monuments of grief,Show on their life-like branches now, The swelling bud and bursting leaf.
The cold and bitter winds which swept So wild and often through the vales,Have softened down their raging wrath To mild and balmy-breathing gales.
Some happy birds make glad the morn, Waking beneath its rosy skiesSome early flowers the fields adorn, Which cheer our hearts and bless our eyes.
The blue-bell's tiny cup expands, The snow-drop spreads its petals fair,The iris shows the blue of heaven, And violets breathe upon the air.
Sweet season, to the dreary earth, Thus thy return will ever bringGladness and beauty, smiles and mirth, Such is thy mission blessed spring!
Yes, bright as in the days gone by, Thy cheering presence still appears;But can I hail thy coming now, With all the joy of other years?
Wilt thou give back those golden dreams, Which made life's vernal hours so gay?Wilt thou restore the blissful hopes, That bloomed along youth's flowery way?
Ah, no, but though thou canst not bring The spirit's freshness back again;Yet even to the weary heart, Thy mission is not wholly vain.
Wake then my soul! nor longer droop, But far aside all sadness fling;Wake to the whisperings of hope! Wake to the influence of Spring!