As when retreating tempests we behold, Whose skirts at length the azure sky unfold, And full of murmurings and mingled wrath, Slowly unshroud the smiling face of earth, Bringing the bosom joy: so WINTER flies!... And see the Source of Life and Light uprise! A height'ning arch o'er southern hills he bends; Warm on the cheek the slanting beam descends, And gives the reeking mead a brighter hue, And draws the modest _primrose_ bud to view. Yet frosts succeed, and winds impetuous rush, And hail-storms rattle thro' the budding bush; And night-fall'n LAMBS require the shepherd's care, And teeming EWES, that still their burdens bear; Beneath whose sides tomorrow's dawn may see The milk-white strangers bow the trembling knee; At whose first birth the pow'rful instinct's seen That fills with champions the daisied green: For ewes that stood aloof with fearful eye, With stamping foot now men and dogs defy, And obstinately faithful to their young, Guard their first steps to join the bleating throng. But casualties and death from damps and cold Will still attend the well-conducted fold: Her tender offspring dead, the dam aloud Calls, and runs wild amidst the unconscious crowd: And orphan'd sucklings raise the piteous cry; No wool to warm them, no defenders nigh. And must her streaming milk then flow in vain? Must unregarded innocence complain? No;... ere this strong solicitude subside, Maternal fondness may be fresh apply'd, And the adopted stripling still may find A parent most assiduously kind. For this he's doom'd awhile disguis'd to range, (For fraud or force must work the wish'd-for change;) For this his predecessor's skin he wears, Till cheated into tenderness and cares, The unsuspecting dam, contented grown, Cherish and guard the fondling as her own. Thus all by turns to fair perfection rise; Thus twins are parted to increase their size: Thus instinct yields as interest points the way, Till the bright flock, augmenting every day, On sunny hills and vales of springing flow'rs With ceaseless clamour greet the vernal hours. The humbler _Shepherd_ here with joy beholds The approv'd economy of crowded folds, And, in his small contracted round of cares, Adjusts the practice of each hint he hears: For Boys with emulation learn to glow, And boast their pastures, and their healthful show Of well-grown Lambs, the glory of the Spring; And field to field in competition bring.