326 DECEMBER. 



ALL SEASONS WELCOME. 



Who does not welcome Spring's sweet gentleness, 

 That, like a friend long waited for in vain, 

 Comes laughing in and wafts away distress, 

 Sending its joy through spirit and through plain. 

 Welcome is Summer in its ardent reign : 

 Nor Autumn less, with his resplendent skies, 

 And drooping fruits, and wealth of golden grain, 

 And mists and storms, and that last pomp of dyes, 

 That beauty o'er the woods flings ever as she flies. 



And welcome art thou, melancholy time, 

 That now surround'st my dwelling — with the sound 

 Of winds that, rush in darkness — the sublime 

 Roar of drear woods — hail that doth lightly bound, 

 Of rains that dash, or snows that spread the ground 

 With purity and stillness ; — at their call 

 Bright flings the fire its fairy summer round. 

 And the lamp lights the volume-trophied wall ; 

 Thought is once more enthroned — the Spirit in her hall. 



Welcome ! right welcome feelings warm and rich ! 

 Welcome ! right welcome, ye rejoicing crowd 

 Of fancies each unto its winter niche 

 That homeward flee from frost and storm-wind loud. 

 Oh ! be it mine amid your circle proud 

 To sit, as sits the watchman at his ease 

 Within the Beacon-tower — like him allowed 

 Not myself only with your glow to please, 

 But spread your guiding beams o'er life's tempestuous seas. 



W. H. 



London : Printed by Samuel Bentley, Dorset street. 



