Season of sweet-smiling Spring
On 14 August 1783 Hester Thrale wrote in Thraliana, "Some Verses are come in my Head I will write them down"
Written by Hester Lynch Thrale.In the Season of sweet-smiling Spring
When impress’d by th’all powerful hand,
Earth relaxes, and each living Thing
Looks happy by Nature’s Command:
When the Butterflies frisk in the Field
That as Worms were by Winter subdued,
And the Bees which our Cruelty killed
Are perhaps in some Rose-bush renew’d.In that Season when Singing-Birds pair
From his Mate was a Nightingale torne;
His Complaints how they pierce thro’ the Air !
Her Sorrows how hard to be borne !
Deserted, distress’d, and alone,
To a Soil less severe see him fly;
What Tenderness swells in each Tone,
What Melody softens each Sigh !While his Partner sharp Wires inclose,
Condemn’d as her Sorrows still flow,
From the hand that destroy’d her Repose
To receive what but lengthens her Woe:
Will Hymen that Hand ever bless
Which parted a Couple so pure ?
Will Language pretend to express
That Grief which admits of no Cure ?What Voice but his own can explain
The Torture he suffers who loves?
With what Taste he extends the sweet Strain,
Inspiring the passion he proves !
What tho’ Absence all Converse deny,
And Space intercept the Soft Lay;
Distress but endears the loved Tye
Nor shall Time such Attachment decay.
Thraliana 14 August 1783. Hester Thrale's spelling, grammar and capitalisation, some of which may not conform to today's standards, are reproduced faithfully throughout.
