Thomas Otway, 1651–1685.

SPRING MORNING IN ITALY.

The sun is up, and ’tis a morn of May,

Round old Ravenna’s clear-shown towers and bay;

A morn, the loveliest which the year has seen—

Last of the spring, yet fresh with all its green;

For a warm eve, and gentle rains at night,

Have left a sparkling welcome for the light;

And there’s a crystal clearness all about;

The leaves are sharp; the distant hills look out;