APRIL. 
Hail, April! true Medea of the year, 
That makest all things young and fresh appear. 
What praise, what thanks, what commendations due, 
For all thy pearly drops of morning dew? 
When we despair, thy seasonable showers 
Comfort the com, and cheer the drooping flowers ; 
As if thy charity could not but impart 
A shower of tears to see us out of heart. 
Sweet, I have penned thy praise, and here I bring it ; 
In confidence the birds themselves will sing it. 
^PRIL, month of showers and sunshine, clear and 
cloudy skies, greenness and bareness, heavy hail 
and blooming blossoms, we welcome thee ! The 
earth now begins, before the strengthening sun, to ex¬ 
pand the flowers and plants, which adorn its surface 
with every species of coloured beauty. Smiling Spring 
is now in full bloom. The hedges and trees begin to 
bud, and make a show of green. The bees are busy 
among the bloom. The migratory birds have returned, 
