Wrote in an Ill State of Health in the Spring

Inclement winter now resigns his pow'r,
And gentle spring begins her placid reign.
The sun, with genial warmth, awakes to life
The herbs and flowers, whose soft distilling rains
His kindly influence aid, and clothe the fields
With springing verdure; to the industrious swain
The pleasing promise of a plenteous harvest.
The trees, long stripp'd of all their leafy honours,
Shoot out anew, and with the charming season
Advancing still, unfold their annual beauties.
All nature smiles! — But I, alas, am sad!

In vain, the woods and fields resume their charms
In vain the feather'd warblers tune their songs!
To me 'tis all a blank! untouch'd my soul
With nature's harmony! my eyes, uncharm'd
With all her beauties, cannot find a joy
In the once lovely, once delightful scene!
A gloom of sadness hangs upon my spirits—
And prompts the frequent sigh and silent tear.
Depressed by pain and sickness, all my powers
Are dull and languid, every joy is tasteless;
All nature fades, and pleasure is no more!

Ah! what is life, so lov'd, so dearly priz'd,
If health be absent? 'tis a ling'ring night
Of tedious expectation, spent in sighs,
And restless wishes for the cheerful dawn.

Thus melancholy tun'd the mourning lay:
The cheerful muse withdrawn, the gloomy pow'r,
Usurp'd her lyre, and chang'd its soothing notes
For sounds of woe; dark clouds oppressive hung
Around her seat, and spread their deep'ning shade
Till ev'ry pleasing object sunk in night.
Ah! where is faith? her heav'n-illumin'd eye
Could pierce the mental night, could raise the mind
Which sinks dejected, and beyond the gloom
Direct to fairer scenes: come, guest divine,
O come, and in thy train, let fortitude
Her useful succours bring, and meek-ey'd patience,
And smiling hope, and sweet content appear.
And let my heart with calm submission wait
Heaven's destin'd time, to hail the glad return
Of health, the best and sweetest earthly blessing.

Then shall the muse her long-neglected strain
Resume; and, by each heav'n-born guest inspired,
With grateful rapture tune the votive song
To that almighty goodness, which bestows
Its gifts unmeasur'd, undeserved, on me.
Nor let the grateful rapture be confin'd
Since o'er the whole creation wide diffus'd,
Divine beneficence unbounded smiles,
And claims the tribute of unbounded praise