344 POEMS. 



Beneath the shade of shelt'ring thorn they sit, 

 Divide the simple meal, and drain the cask : 

 The swinging cradle lulls the whimpering babe 

 Meantime; while growling round, if at the tread 

 Of hasty passenger alarm'd, as of their store 

 Protective, stalks the cur with bristling back, 

 To guard the scanty scrip and russet frock. 



ON THE EARLY AND LATE BLOWING OF 



THE VERNAL AND AUTUMNAL 



CROCUS. 



^AY, what impels, amidst surrounding snow 

 Congeal'd, the Crocus* flamy bud to grow ; 

 Say, what retards amidst the summer's blaze 

 The autumnal bulb, till pale declining days ? 

 The God of Seasons ! whose pervading power 

 Controls the sun, or sheds the fleecy shower ; 

 fie bids each flower his quickening word obey, 

 Or to each lingering bloom enjoins delay. 



