Tho' now no more the musing ear <br />Delights to listen to the breeze <br />That lingers o'er the green wood shade, <br /> I love thee Winter! well. <br /> <br />Sweet are the harmonies of Spring, <br />Sweet is the summer's evening gale, <br />Pleasant the autumnal winds that shake <br /> The many-colour'd grove. <br /> <br />And pleasant to the sober'd soul <br />The silence of the wintry scene, <br />When Nature shrouds her in her trance <br /> <br />Not undelightful now to roam <br />The wild heath sparkling on the sight; <br />Not undelightful now to pace <br /> The forest's ample rounds; <br /> <br />And see the spangled branches shine, <br />And mark the moss of many a hue <br />That varies the old tree's brown bark, <br /> Or o'er the grey stone spreads. <br /> <br />The cluster'd berries claim the eye <br />O'er the bright hollies gay green leaves, <br />The ivy round the leafless oak <br /> Clasps its full foliage close. <br /> <br />So VIRTUE diffident of strength <br />Clings to RELIGION'S firmer aid, <br />And by RELIGION'S aid upheld <br /> Endures calamity. <br /> <br />Nor void of beauties now the spring, <br />Whose waters hid from summer sun <br />Have sooth'd the thirsty pilgrim's ear <br /> With more than melody. <br /> <br />The green moss shines with icey glare, <br />The long grass bends its spear-like form, <br />And lovely is the silvery scene <br /> When faint the sunbeams smile. <br /> <br />Reflection too may love the hour <br />When Nature, hid in Winter's grave, <br />No more expands the bursting bud <br /> Or bids the flowret bloom. <br /> <br />For Nature soon in Spring's best charms <br />Shall rise reviv'd from Winter's grave. <br />Again expand the bursting bud, <br /> And bid the flowret bloom.<br /><br />Robert Southey<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-written-on-the-first-of-december/
