MARCH. THE stormy March is come at last, I hear the rushing of the blast, That through the snowy valley flies. Ah, passing few are they who speak, Wild stormy month! in praise of thee; Yet, though thy winds are loud and bleak, Thou art a welcome month to me. For thou, to northern lands again, The glad and glorious sun dost bring, And thou hast joined the gentle train And, in thy reign of blast and storm, Then sing aloud the gushing rills And the full springs, from frost set free, That, brightly leaping down the hills, Are just set out to meet the sea. MARCH. The year's departing beauty hides A look of kindly promise yet. Thou bring'st the hope of those calm skies, When the wide bloom, on earth that lies, 14 157 SPRING IN TOWN. THE Country ever has a lagging Spring, Within the city's bounds the time of flowers Breathes through the sky of March the airs of May, For the wide sidewalks of Broadway are then Slides soft away beneath the sunny noon, For here are eyes that shame the violet, 159 SPRING IN TOWN. And the spring-beauty boasts no tenderer streak And thick about those lovely temples lie Locks that the lucky Vignardonne has curled, And bake, and braid those love-knots of the world; And well thou may'st-for Italy's brown maids Send the dark locks with which their brows are dressed And Gascon lasses, from their jetty braids, Crop half, to buy a riband for the rest; But the fresh Norman girls their tresses spare, Then, henceforth, let no maid nor matron grieve, Such piles of curls as nature never knew. Soft voices and light laughter wake the street, Like notes of woodbirds, and where'er the eye 160 SPRING IN TOWN. No swimming Juno gait, of languor born, A step that speaks the spirit of the place, Since Quiet, meek old dame, was driven away To Sing Sing and the shores of Tappan bay. Ye that dash by in chariots! who will care For steeds or footmen now? ye cannot show Fair face, and dazzling dress, and graceful air, And last edition of the shape! Ah no, These sights are for the earth and open sky, And your loud wheels unheeded rattle by. |