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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE REIGN OF DECEMBER by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS

Poet Analysis

First Line: IN WINTER AWFUL, LOVELY IN THE SPRING
Last Line: TO MIRTH AND HOSPITALITY.
Subject(s): DECEMBER; WALES; WELSHMEN; WELSHWOMEN;
IN winter awful, lovely in the spring,
Romantic Cambria hail ! to thee I sing.
No longer now I view thy verdant trees,
Thy joyous harvest waving to the breeze;
Thy mountain streams, thy vallies filled with corn,
Thy larks which fly to greet the roseate morn;
Thy summer sun cheering all nature round,
Thy meads with Flora's early primrose crowned;
The stores Pomona's liberal hand bestows,
And from her lap in rich profusion throws:
Of these no more I sing; those cheerful days
Are fled, and winter claims my pensive lays.
Yet even in winter charms may oft be viewed,
If by the philosophic mind pursued:
Yes, even in chilling frost, and blustering wind,
The grandeur of the Almighty Power we find.
Do not the winds aloud his praise declare?
Look at the snowy hills -- we view him there!
Whether by cold we're nipped, or heat oppressed,
In either is the Great Supreme confessed.
But let me now assume the festive song,
And to the lyre let sportive notes belong;
For all the endearments of the social powers,
Shall bless December's consecrated hours.
Now though joyful summer's fled,
Why regret her garlands dead!
For in the winter we can see
The beauties of variety.
And if 'twere summer all the year,
Variety would ne'er appear;
But in the seasons moving round,
If sought for, she is always found;
Then though summer's reign is fled,
Mourn not if the flowers be dead;
Tasteless would she ever be,
Wanting sweet variety.
Hail ! then, December's pleasing reign,
In the wild enraptured strain;
And let the winter sacred be
To mirth and hospitality.




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