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Now tasted all :....for I have heard and seen
The long-remember'd voice, the church, the green ;....
And oft by Friendship's gentle hand been led
Where many a hospitable board was spread.
These would I name....but each, and all can feel
What the full heart would willingly reveal :
Nor needs be told; that at each season's birth,
Still the enamell'd, or the scorching Earth
Gave, as each morn or weary night would come,
Ideal sweetness to my distant home:

Ideal now no more ;....for, to my view
Spring's promise rose, how admirably true!
The early chorus of the cheerful Grove
Gave point to Gratitude, and fire to Love.

O Memory! shield me from the World's poor strife;
And give those scenes thine everlasting life!

LONDON, May 30, 1800.

ROBERT BLOOMFIELD.

SPRING.

ARGUMENT.

Invocation, &c. Seed time. Harrowing. Morning walks. Milking. The Dairy. Suffolk Cheese. Spring coming forth. Sheep fond of changing. Lambs at play. The Butcher, &c.

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1.

COME, blest Spirit! whatsoe'er thou art,

Thou kindling warmth that hover'st round my heart,

Sweet inmate, hail! thou source of sterling joy,

That poverty itself cannot destroy,

Be thou my Muse; and faithful still to me,
Retrace the paths of wild obscurity.

No deeds of arms my humble lines rehearse;

No Alpine wonders thunder through my verse,

Invocation....Simple character of Giles.

v. 9.

The roaring cataract, the snow-topt hill,
Inspiring awe, till breath itself stands still:

Nature's sublimer scenes ne'er charm'd mine eyes,
Nor Science led me through the boundless skies;
From meaner objects far my raptures flow:

O point these raptures! bid my bosom glow!
And lead my soul to ecstacies of praise

For all the blessings of my infant days!

Bear me through regions where gay Fancy dwells;
But mould to Truth's fair form what Memory tells.
Live, trifling incidents, and grace my song,
That to the humblest menial belong:
To him whose drudgery unheeded goes,
His joys unreckon'd as his cares or woes;
Though joys and cares in every path are sown,
And youthful minds have feelings of their own,
Quick springing sorrows, transient as the dew,
Delights from trifles, trifles ever new.

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