58 Bird Day Book 



ELEGY— WRITTEN IN SPRING 



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LOOSED from the bands of frost, the verdant ground 

 Again puts on her robe of cheerful green, 

 Again puts forth her flowers ; and all around 

 Smiling, the cheerful face of Spring is seen. 



Behold ! the trees new deck their withered boughs ; 



Their ample leaves, the hospitable plane, 

 The taper elm, and lofty ash disclose ; 



The blooming hawthorn variegates the scene. 



The lily of the vale, of flowers the queen, 



Puts on the robe she neither sewed nor spun ; 



The birds on ground, or on the branches green, 

 Hop to and fro, and glitter in the sun. 



Soon as o'er eastern hills the morning peers, 

 From her low nest the tufted lark upsprings ; 



And, cheerful singing, up the air she steers; 



Still high she mounts, still loud and sweet she sings. 



Now is the time for those who wisdom love, 

 Who love to walk in virtue's flowery road, 



Along the lovely paths of Spring to rove, 

 And follow Nature up to Nature's God. 



— Michael Bruce. 



