On fair Asteria's blissful plains, <br />Where ever-blooming fancy reigns, <br />How pleased we pass the winter's day, <br />And charm the dull-eyed Spleen away! <br /> <br />No linnet, from the leafless bough, <br />Pours forth her note melodious now, <br />But all admire Asteria's tongue, <br />Nor wish the linnet's vernal song. <br /> <br />No flowers emit their transient rays; <br />Yet sure Asteria's wit displays <br />More various tints, more glowing lines, <br />And with perennial beauty shines. <br /> <br />Though rifled groves and fetter'd streams <br />But ill befriend a poet's dreams; <br />Asteria's presence wakes the lyre, <br />And well supplies poetic fire. <br /> <br />The fields have lost their lovely dye; <br />No cheerful azure decks the sky: <br />Yet still we bless the lowering day; <br />Asteria smiles-and all is gay. <br /> <br />Hence let the Muse no more presume, <br />To blame the winter's dreary gloom; <br />Accuse his loitering hours no more, <br />But, ah! their envious haste deplore. <br /> <br />For soon, from Wit and Friendship's reign, <br />The social hearth, the sprightly vein, <br />I go-to meet the coming year, <br />On savage plains, and deserts drear! <br /> <br />I go-to feed on pleasures flown, <br />Nor find the spring my loss atone; <br />But, 'mid the flowery sweets of May, <br />With pride recall this winter's day.<br /><br />William Shenstone<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/upon-a-visit-to-a-lady-of-quality/
