392 WINTER FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 



task, however, is accomplished, and we can only point out 

 these as fresh fields and pastures new, to those who can brace 

 their nerves for a pleasant winter's ramble. 



These as they change, Almighty Father, these 

 Are but the varied God. The rolling year 

 Is full of thee. Forth in the pleasant Spring 

 Thy beauty walks, thy tenderness and love 

 Wide flush the fields ; the softening air is balm ; 

 Echo the mountains round ; the forest smiles ; 

 And every sense and every heart is joy. 

 Then comes thy glory in the Summer months, 

 With light and heat refulgent. Then thy sun 

 Shoots full perfection through the swelling year ; 

 And oft thy voice in dreadful thunder speaks, 

 And oft at dawn, deep noon, or falling eve, 

 By brooks and groves in hollow- whispering gales. 

 Thy bounty shines in Autumn unconfined, 

 And spreads a common feast for all that lives. 

 In Winter awful thou ! With clouds and storms 

 Around thee thrown, cempest o'er tempest rolled, 

 Majestic darkness ! On the whirlwind's wing 

 Riding sublime, thou bid'st the world adore, 

 And humblest nature with thy northern blast. 



So roll your incense, herbs, and fruits, and flowers, 

 In mingled clouds to Him, whose sun exalts, 

 Whose breath perfumes you, and whose pencil paints." 



Thomson. 



