As nurs'd by warmer suns, and milder showers In fair Italia's vales the orange blows; Heavy at once with fruit, and gay with flowers, The richness of the year she all together shows; Thus, e'er the blossom of her youth is o'er, Two smiling infants grace Maria's side; More lovely fruit than all Pomona's store, Her ruddy orchards, or her golden pride! Less fair, twin apples blushing on a bough, On whose smooth cheek the ripening summer glows, Or those which broke fleet Atalanta's vow, Or that, from whence celestial strife arose. Long may the stock, and long the fruit remain, May their young fondness with their years increase, Nor ever words unkind, or bitter pain Wound the sweet bosom of domestic peace. And when late time the mother's bloom must fade, And when the sire shall be by fate remov'd, May these their name, their form, their virtues spread, Like them be happy, and like them be lov'd! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE GREAT RACE PASSES by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE ENEMY'S PORTRAIT by THOMAS HARDY THE ANGLER'S WISH by IZAAK WALTON TRAVELOGUE by EVA K. ANGLESBURG THE LORELEI by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE THE STRAYED REVELLER by MATTHEW ARNOLD ANNIVERSARIUM BAPTISMI (5) by JOSEPH BEAUMONT |