NEGLECTED now the early _daisy_ lies: Nor thou, pale _primrose_, bloom'st the only prize: Advancing SPRING profusely spreads abroad Flow'rs of all hues, with sweetest fragrance stor'd; Where'er she treads, LOVE gladdens every plain, _Delight_ on tiptoe bears her lucid train; Sweet _Hope_ with conscious brow before her flies, Anticipating wealth from Summer skies; All Nature feels her renovating sway; The sheep-fed pasture, and the meadow gay; And trees, and shrubs, no longer budding seen, Display the new-grown branch of lighter green; On airy downs the shepherd idling lies, And sees to-morrow in the marbled skies. Here then, my soul, thy darling theme pursue, For every day was Giles a SHEPHERD too. Small was his charge: no wilds had they to roam; But bright enclosures circling round their home. Nor yellow-blossom'd furze, nor stubborn thorn, The heath's rough produce, had their fleeces torn: Yet ever roving, ever seeking thee, Enchanting spirit, dear Variety! O happy tenants, prisoners of a day! Releas'd to ease, to pleasure, and to play; Indulg'd through every field by turns to range, And taste them all in one continual change. For though luxuriant their grassy food, Sheep long confin'd but loathe the present good; Bleating around the homeward gate they meet, And starve, and pine, with plenty at their feet. Loos'd from the winding lane, a joyful throng, See, o'er yon pasture how they pour along! _Giles_ round their boundaries takes his usual stroll; Sees every pass secur'd, and fences whole; High fences, proud to charm the gazing eye, Where many a nestling first assays to fly; Where blows the woodbine, faintly streak'd with red, And rests on every bough its tender head; Round the young ash its twining branches meet, Or crown the hawthorn with its odours sweet. Say, ye that know, ye who have felt and seen, _Spring's_ morning smiles, and soul-enliv'ning green, Say, did you give the thrilling transport way? Did your eye brighten, when young lambs at play Leap'd o'er your path with animated pride, Or gaz'd in merry clusters by your side? Ye who can smile, to wisdom no disgrace, At the arch meaning of a kitten's face; If spotless innocence, and infant mirth, Excites to praise, or gives reflection birth; In shades like these pursue your fav'rite joy, Midst Nature's revels, sports that never cloy.