1864

AN INVITATION TO THE COUNTRY

by William Cullen Bryant

AN INVITATION TO THE COUNTRY -

Already, close by our summer dwelling,

The Easter sparrow repeats her song;

A merry warbler, she chides the blossoms-

The idle blossoms that sleep so long. -

The bluebird chants, from the elm's long branches,

A hymn to welcome the budding year.

The south wind wanders from field to forest,

And softly whispers, "The Spring is here." -

Come, daughter mine, from the gloomy city,

Before those lays from the elm have ceased;

The violet breathes, by our door, as sweetly

As in the air of her native East. -

Though many a flower in the wood is waking,

The daffodil is our doorside queen;

She pushes upward the sward already,

To spot with sunshine the early green. -

No lays so joyous as these are warbled

From wiry prison in maiden's bower;

No pampered bloom of the green-house chamber

Has half the charm of the lawn's first flower. -

Yet these sweet sounds of the early season,

And these fair sights of its sunny days,

Are only sweet when we fondly listen,

And only fair when we fondly gaze. -

There is no glory in star or blossom

Till looked upon by a loving eye;

There is no fragrance in April breezes

Till breathed with joy as they wander by. -

Come, Julia dear, for the sprouting willows,

The opening flowers, and the gleaming brooks,

And hollows, green in the sun, are waiting

Their dower of beauty from thy glad looks. - -