Spring Gardens

Flora, goddess sweetly blooming,

Ever airy, ever gay:

All her wonted charms resuming,

To Spring Gardens calls away.

See a grand pavillion yonder

Rising near embowering shades;

There a temple strikes with wonder,

In full view of colonnades.

Hark! what heavenly notes descending

Break up on the listening ear:

Music all its graces lending,

O 'tis ecstasy to hear.

With this blissful spot delighted,

Here the Queen of May retreats,

Belles and beaux are all invited

To partake of varied sweets.

Art and Nature kindly lavish,

Here their mingled beauties yield,

Equal here, the pleasures ravish,

Of the court and of the field.

Nightingales the concert joining

Breathe their plaints in melting strains,

Vanquished now, their groves resigning,

Soon they fly to distant plains.

Lo, what splendours round us darting

Swift illume the charming scene.

Chandeliers their lights imparting

Pour fresh beauties o'er the green.

Glittering lamps, in order planted,

Strike the eye with sweet surprise;

Adam scarce was more enchanted

When he saw the sun first rise.

Now the various bands are seated,

All dispersed in bright array;

Business o'er, and cares retreated,

With gay mirth they close the day.

Thus, of old, the sons of pleasure

Passed, in shades, their favourite hours,

Nectar cheering their soft leisure,

Blessed by love and crowned with flowers.