A Conceit.

The Grey-beard Winter sat alone and still,
    Locking his treasures in the flinty earth;
And like a miser comfortless and chill,
    Frown'd upon pleasure and rejected mirth;

But Spring came, gentle Spring, the young, the fair,
    And with her smiles subdued his frosty heart,
So that for very joy to see her there,
    His soul, relenting, play'd the lover's part;

And nought could bring too lovely or too sweet,
    To lavish on the bright Evangel's head;
No flowers too radiant for her tender feet;
    No joys too blissful o'er her life to shed.

And thus the land became a Paradise,
    A new-made Eden, redolent of joy,
Where beauty blossom'd under sunny skies,
    And peaceful pleasure reign'd without alloy.