On The Beauties Of Creation

AH! what enchanting scenes the eye beholds,
When Spring her tender buds unfolds,
To meet the rising blush of morn,
And smiling green invests the thorn;
Nature her joy-inspiring aspect wears,
Beauty in magic robe appears;
Deck'd with each hue bright Fancy can create,
She sways the meads in purple state.
When Summer with refulgent fervour glows,
In blooming pride each vivid flow'ret blows,
To form the fragrant bow'r;
When evening twilight sheds a fainter gleam,
And quivering moon-beams gild the silent stream,
Still shall Creation's charms engage
The mind with Contemplation sage,
To pass the pensive hour.
When Plenty Autumn's step attends,
And bids her Nature's stores unfold,
The vine beneath the ripening cluster bends,
The trees their ruddy tints display,
The crimson'd fruit adorns each spray,
By early Spring foretold.
Nor deem the reign of Beauty o'er,
When Earth her snowy mantle wears;
Tho' painted blooms delight no more,
Nor aught of smiling green appears,
Nature in spotless raiment drest,
Unsullied purity displays;
To imitate her dove-like vest,
Elaborate Art in vain essays.
While keen-eyed Frost's congealing hand
His pearly gems profusely pours;
Rais'd by his all-commanding wand,
On sparkling glass see a fresh landscape tow'rs.
Each season brings some yet unseen delight;
Whatever realm our ken beholds,
Each spot some native charm unfolds;
Or shall we fly from Earth's domains,
To what the watry world contains,
E'en there new beauties strike th' astonished sight.
Or shall our eye th' etherial vault survey,
Where radiant spheres unnumber'd roll?
What raptures must possess the soul!
What gratitude to Him whose word those orbs obey!
To Him whose goodness hath assign'd
This beauteous globe to man's frail race;
But ah! what Seraph's tongue shall dare repeat
Th' eternal splendours of that hallow'd place,
Where God Omnipotent hath fix'd his seat?
Light inaccessible to mortal mind:
In vain the daring thought would soar!
In vain! lost in Perfection's dazzling ray,
She seeks concealment in her cell of clay,
Content at humblest distance to adore.