The Sweets of Evening

The Sweets of Evening
The sweets of Evening charm the mind,    Sick of the sultry day;The body then no more's confin'd,[1]But exercise with freedom join'd,5     When Phoebus sheathes his ray.
The softer scenes of nature sooth    The organs of our sight;The Zephyrs fan the meadows smooth,And on the brook we build the booth10     In pastoral delight.[2]
While all-serene the summer moon    Sends glances thro' the trees,And Philomel begins her tune,Asteria too shall help her soon15     With voice of skilful ease.[3]
A nosegay, every thing that grows,    And music, every soundTo lull the sun to his repose;The skies are coloured like the rose20     With lively streaks around.
Of all the changes rung by Time    None half so sweet appear,As those when thoughts themselves sublime,And with superior natures chime25     In fancy's highest sphere.
1764

Notes

  1. ↑ 3. "no more's" printed as "no more" in ed. 1791.
  2. ↑ 6—10. Were omitted in ed. 1791.
  3. ↑ 13—15. Philomel and Asterie (in 1791 printed as "Asteria") — the personages of Ancient Greek mythology here mean the nightingale and quail.

This work was published before January 1, 1930, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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