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and how afterwards the frost succeeds in December, and turns this water into 
ice, which would destroy, in great measure, the seeds and plants in the bowels 
of the earth, unless Nature had, in the same or following month, kindly 
This might be also called the mowing Month. 
When the fresh spring in all her state is crown’d. 
And high luxuriant grass o’erspreads the ground. 
The labourer with a bending scythe is seen 
Throwing the surface of the waving green; 
Of all her native pride disrobes the land. 
And meads lays waste before his sweeping hand; 
While with the mountain sun the meadow glows. 
And fading herbage round he loosely throws, 
Then next into his hands the fork he takes. 
And ruddy damsels ply their wooden rakes. 
IX. Ripening Month, July. 
Berries and pulpous fruits of various kinds. 
The promise of the blooming spring, no w yield 
Their rich and wholesome juices, meant t’ allay 
The ferment of the bilious blood. 
X. Reaping Month, August. 
Pour’d from the villages, a numerous train 
Now spreads o’er all the fields. In form’d array 
The reapers move, nor shrink from heat or toil, 
By emulation urg’d. Others dispers’d. 
Or bind in sheaves, or load or guide the wain 
That tinkles as it passes. Far behind 
Old age and infancy with careful hand 
Pick up each straggling ear. 
XI. Sowing Month, September. 
Arise, ye winds, ’tis now your time to blow. 
And aid the work of Nature. On your wings 
The pregnant seeds convey’d shall plant a race 
Far from their native soil. 
XII. Shedding Month, October. 
How sweetly Nature strikes the ravish’d eye 
Thro’ the fine veil with wdiich she oft conceals 
Her charms in part, as conscious of decay . 
Mysterious round! what skill, what force divine. 
Deep-felt in these appear! a simple train. 
Yet so delightful mix’d, with such kind art, 
Such beauty and beneficence combin’d; 
S 
