1*25 
SUMMER, AND SUMMER FLOWERS. 
Then came the iolly Sommer, being dight 
In a thin silken cassock, coloured greene. 
That was unlyned all, to be more light: 
And on his head a girlond well beseene 
He wore, from which, as he had chauffed beene. 
The sweat did drop, and in his hand he bore 
A bowe and shafts, as he in forest greene 
Had hunted late the libbard or the bore. 
And now would bathe his limbs with labour heated sore. 
Such is Spenser’s quaint description of Summer in the 
procession of the seasons and months before quoted from; and 
it is a good portrait of the sultry part of the season in warmer 
climes than ours. Compared with the volumes of verse dedi¬ 
cated to Spring, Summer has found few laureates; the rather 
that its attributes have been joined to those of its blithe fore¬ 
runner, than from any lack of love for its own boundless 
wealth and beauty. 
Thomson, whose division of praise among the four seasons 
allow'ed him to pay them distinct attention, in few, but beau¬ 
tiful, words, thus paints the approach of Summer: 
From bright’ning fields of ether fair disclosed, 
Child of the sun, refulgent Summer comes, 
In pride of youth, and felt through nature’s depth : 
He comes attended by the sultry hours. 
And ever fanning breezes on his way. 
While, from his ardent look, the turning Siiring 
Averts her blu.shful face; and earth and skies. 
All smiling, to his hot dominion leaves. 
