The father's lustre, and the mother's bloom. And nothing strikes your eye but sights of bliss, Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books, Enamour'd more, as more remembrance swells With many a proof of recollected love, Together freed, their gentle spirits fly To scenes where love and bliss immortal reign. THE ARGUMEN T. The subject proposed. Invocation. Address to Mr. Dodington. An introductory reflection on the motion of the heavenly bodies; whence the succession of the seasons. As the face of Nature in this season is almost uniform, the progress of the poem is a description of a summer's day. The dawn. Sun-rising. Hyma to the sun. Forenoon. Summer-insects described. Hay-making. Sheep - shearing. Noonday. A woodland retreat. Group of herds and flocks. A solemn grove: how it affects a contemplative mind. A cataract, and rude scene. View of Summer in the torrid zone. Storm of thunder and lightning. A tale. The storm over, a serene afternoon. Bathing. Hour of walking. Transition to the prospect of a rich well-cultivated country; which introduces a panegyric on Great – Britain. Sun - set. Evening. Night. Summer - meteors. A comet. The whole concluding with the praise of philosophy. FROM In pride of youth, and felt thro' Nature's depth: And ever-fanning breezes, on his way; While, from his ardent look, the turning Spring Averts her blushful face; and earth, and skies, All smiling, to his hot dominion leaves. Hence, let me haste into the mid-wood shade, Come, Inspiration! from thy hermit - seat, |