Page:Scotish Descriptive Poems - Leyden (1803).djvu/73
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A POEM.
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Green shoots the fir his spiry point on high; And fluttering leaves on trembling aspens sigh:With haughtier air, see the strong oak ascend, 570Too proud before an angry heaven to bend:His leaves unshaken, winter's rage defy;He shades a field, and heaves a wood on high;Glories in stubborn strength, when tempests roar,And scorns to yield, save to the thunder's power. But May with softer charms the shrub adorns;She spreads her snowy mantle o'er the thorns;Decks the rough furze with flaming orange bloom,And loads with vegetable gold the broom;Pure nature's beauteous work. But culture joins, 580Where yon bright glow from neighbouring orchards shines.Their snowy pride the plumb-trees first display;Then shakes the pear's tall head with silver gray;The apple bids her painted blossoms rise;Each gem soft-swelling, with the ruby vies;With thin expanded petals smiles around,While trees appear with damask roses crowned. With various notes, sweet, solemn, loud, and deep,The tuneful thrush awakes the band from sleep:The blackbird whistles in a merrier note; 590Sweet sings the goldfinch in her gawdy coat;