The pleasant valleys singing for delight;
The wanton mountains dance about the lands,
The while the fields, struck with the heavenly light,
Set all their flowers a smiling at the sight;
The trees laugh with their blossoms, and the sound
Of the triumphant shout of praise, that crown’d
The flaming Lamb, breaking through heaven, hath passage found.
Giles Fletcher, 1588–1623.
THE AIRS OF SPRING.
Sweetly breathing, vernal air,