E ARLY, before the day doth spring, L et us awake, my Muse! and sing! I t is no time to slumber! S o many joys this Time doth bring, A s time will fail to number. B ut, whereto shall we bend our Lays? E ven up to heaven, again to raise T he Maid! which, thence descended, H ath brought again the Golden Days A nd all the world amended. R udeness itself, She doth refine! E ven like an Alchemist divine, G ross Times of Iron turning I nto the purest form of Gold; N ot to corrupt, till heaven wax old A nd be refined with burning. HYMN II. _To ASTRÆA._ E TERNAL Virgin! Goddess true! L et me presume to sing to you! I OVE, even great JOVE hath leisure S ometimes, to hear the vulgar crew, A nd hears them, oft, with pleasure. B lessed ASTRÆ! I, in part, E njoy the blessings you impart! T he Peace! the milk and honey! H umanity! and civil Art! A richer dower than money. R ight glad am I, that now I live, E ven in these days, whereto you give G reat happiness and glory! I f after you, I should be born; N o doubt, I should my birthday scorn, A dmiring your sweet Story. HYMN III. _To the Spring._ E ARTH now is green, and heaven is blue! L ively Spring, which makes all new. I olly Spring doth enter. S weet young sunbeams do subdue A ngry, agèd Winter. B lasts are mild, and seas are calm! E very meadow flows with balm! T he earth wears all her riches! H armonious birds sing such a psalm A s ear and heart bewitches! R eserve, sweet Spring! this Nymph of ours, E ternal garlands of thy flowers! G reen garlands never wasting! I n her shall last our State's fair Spring, N ow and for ever flourishing, A s long as heaven is lasting. HYMN IV. _To the month of May._ E ACH day of thine, sweet month of May! L ove makes a solemn Holy Day. I will perform like duty! S ince thou resemblest, every way, A STRÆA, Queen of Beauty. B oth you, fresh beauties do partake! E ither's aspect, doth Summer make, T houghts of young Love awaking! H earts you both, do cause to ache; A nd yet be pleased with aching. R ight dear art thou! and so is She! E ven like attractive sympathy G ains unto both, like dearness. I ween this made Antiquity N ame thee, Sweet May of Majesty! A s being both like in clearness. HYMN V. _To the Lark._ E ARLY, cheerful, mounting Lark! L ight's gentle Usher! Morning's Clerk! I n merry notes delighting; S tint awhile thy song, and hark, A nd learn my new inditing! B ear up this Hymn! to heaven, it bear! E ven up to heaven, and sing it there! T o heaven, each morning bear it! H ave it set to some sweet sphere, A nd let the angels hear it!