180 SOUTH KENNEBEC SOCIETY. 



RURAL LIFE. 



A Poem read at the Annual Exhibition of the South Kennebec Agricultural Society, 

 October 9, 1856, by C. F. Dunn, Esq., of Litchfield. 



Of rural life and all its charms I sing. 



The stern cold winter, and sweet welcome spring; 



Summer's effulgence, autumn's gentle reign, 



Of suns that heat, and showers that cool the plain. 



These be my theme. Oh, come ! ye tuneful nine ! 



Inspire my lay, and weave the harmonious rhyme ; 



Make me to feel deep in my inmost heart, 



Those blissful feelings rural scenes impart. 



And now old Boreas, on his icy throne. 



In storms and tempests reigns supreme, alone ; 



His snow white mantle on the earth he spreads, 



Or piles his drifts far, far above our heads ; 



The ponds and streams in solid crystal binds. 



And from their prison frees the howling winds ; 



Rain, hail and sleet, obedient to his call, 



In fury drive, or gently freezing fall. 



And does rude winter yield us no delight ? 



Or is his reign the reign 6f death and blight ? 



Are there no charms then in the country found ? 



Yes ! there are many, pleasures real and sound. 



"When hill and plain with snow are cover'd o'er. 



And the fierce tempests round our dwelling* roar ; 



When all without is turbulence and strife. 



Within, our cots with warmth and joy are rife. 



Our books and papers yield us true delight. 



And the best time to read is on a winter's night. 



And is there, can there be more solid joy 



Than gaining wisdom ? Study hard, my boy, 



And you will find, in time to come, your pay 



Is all your heart could wish, — it never will decay. 



Stern winter also other pleasures yields, — 



The boys on sleds slide bounding o'er the fields ; 



And on the ice, the skaters circling round. 



Enjoy the sport delightful, — pleasure there is found. 



Pleasant it is, too, on a bright, fair day. 



To wrap up warm, and ride out in your sleigh ; 



The jingling bells, the cool, brisk, bracing air, 



The lovely face beside you, tells of pleasures there, 



Pleasure we find and ever true delight. 



E'en in stern winter, if the heart be right. 



But winter's past, — the zephyrs mildly play, 



And the sweet songsters tune their joyful lay ; 



