Spring

This day Dame Nature seemed in love

The lusty sap began to move

Fresh juice did stir the embracing vines

And birds had drawn their valentine

The jealous trout, that loaded lie

Rose at a well-dissembled fly

There stood my friend with patient skill

Attending to his trembling quill

Already were the eaves possessed

With the swift pilgrim's dormant nest

The groves already did rejoice

In Philomel's triumphing voice

The showers were short, the weather mild

The morning fresh, the evening smiled

Joan takes her meat rubbed paler now

She trips to milk the salmon cow

Where for some sturdy football swain

Joan strokes a syllable or twain

The fields and gardens were the best

With tulip, crocus, and violet

And now, though late, the modest rose

Did more than half a blush disclose

Thus all looks gay and full of cheer

To welcome the new liveried year