The wrathfull winter proching[1488] on apace,

With blustering blasts had all ybarde the treene,

And olde Saturnus with his frosty face

With chilling cold had pearst the tender greene:

The mantles rent, wherein enwrapped beene

The gladsom groues that now lay ouerthrowne,

The tapets torne, and euery blome downe blowne.[1489]

2.

The soyle, that erst so seemly was to seene,

Was all despoyled of her beauties hewe: