The Sweets of Evening
The Sweets of Evening
The sweets of Evening charm the mind,
Sick of the sultry day;
The body then no more's confin'd,[1]
But exercise with freedom join'd,
5 When Phoebus sheathes his ray.
Sick of the sultry day;
The body then no more's confin'd,[1]
But exercise with freedom join'd,
5 When Phoebus sheathes his ray.
The softer scenes of nature sooth
The organs of our sight;
The Zephyrs fan the meadows smooth,
And on the brook we build the booth
10 In pastoral delight.[2]
The organs of our sight;
The Zephyrs fan the meadows smooth,
And on the brook we build the booth
10 In pastoral delight.[2]
While all-serene the summer moon
Sends glances thro' the trees,
And Philomel begins her tune,
Asteria too shall help her soon
15 With voice of skilful ease.[3]
Sends glances thro' the trees,
And Philomel begins her tune,
Asteria too shall help her soon
15 With voice of skilful ease.[3]
A nosegay, every thing that grows,
And music, every sound
To lull the sun to his repose;
The skies are coloured like the rose
20 With lively streaks around.
And music, every sound
To lull the sun to his repose;
The skies are coloured like the rose
20 With lively streaks around.
Of all the changes rung by Time
None half so sweet appear,
As those when thoughts themselves sublime,
And with superior natures chime
25 In fancy's highest sphere.
None half so sweet appear,
As those when thoughts themselves sublime,
And with superior natures chime
25 In fancy's highest sphere.
1764
Notes
- ↑ 3. "no more's" printed as "no more" in ed. 1791.
- ↑ 6—10. Were omitted in ed. 1791.
- ↑ 13—15. Philomel and Asterie (in 1791 printed as "Asteria") — the personages of Ancient Greek mythology here mean the nightingale and quail.
This work was published before January 1, 1930, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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