A few begin a short but vigorous race, And indolence abash'd soon flies the place; Thus challeng'd forth, see thither one by one, From every side assembling playmates run; A thousand wily antics mark their stay, A starting crowd, impatient of delay. Like the fond dove from fearful prison freed, Each seems to say, "Come, let us try our speed;" Away they scour, impetuous, ardent, strong, The green turf trembling as they bound along; Adown the slope, then up the hillock climb, Where every molehill is a bed of thyme; There panting stop; yet scarcely can refrain; A bird, a leaf, will set them off again: Or, if a gale with strength unusual blow, Scatt'ring the wild-briar roses into snow, Their little limbs increasing efforts try, Like the torn flower the fair assemblage fly. Ah, fallen rose! sad emblem of their doom; Frail as thyself, they perish while they bloom! Though unoffending innocence may plead, Though frantic ewes may mourn the savage deed, Their shepherd comes, a messenger of blood, And drives them bleating from their sports and food. Care loads his brow, and pity wrings his heart, For lo, the murd'ring BUTCHER with his cart Demands the firstlings of his flock to die, And makes a sport of life and liberty! His gay companions _Giles_ beholds no more; Clos'd are their eyes, their fleeces drench'd in gore; Nor can Compassion, with her softest notes, Withhold the knife that plunges through their throats. Down, indignation! hence, ideas foul! Away the shocking image from my soul! Let kindlier visitants attend my way, Beneath approaching _Summer's_ fervid ray; Nor thankless glooms obtrude, nor cares annoy, Whilst the sweet theme is _universal joy_. SUMMER. ARGUMENT. _Turnip sowing. Wheat ripening. Sparrows. Insects. The sky-lark. Reaping, &c. Harvest-field, Dairy-maid, &c. Labours of the barn. The gander. Night; a thunder storm. Harvest-home. Reflections, &c._ [Illustration] SUMMER. II.