Poem by Anna Seward

Sonnet 51. Hope comes to Youth, gliding thro' azure skies

    TO SYLVIA
    ON HER APPROACHING NUPTIALS.

Hope comes to Youth, gliding thro' azure skies
    With amaranth crown:—her full robe, snowy white,
    Floats on the gale, and our exulting sight
    Marks it afar.—From waning Life she flies,
Wrapt in a mist, covering her starry eyes
    With her fair hand.—But now, in floods of light,
    She meets thee, Sylvia, and with glances, bright
    As lucid streams, when Spring's clear mornings rise.
From Hymen's kindling torch, a yellow ray
    The shining texture of her spotless vest
    Gilds;—and the Month that gives the early day
The scent odōrous1, and the carol blest,
    Pride of the rising Year, enamour'd May,
    Paints its redundant folds with florets gay.

    ——“the bright consummate flower
Spirit odōrous breathes.”

1. Sonnet 58. Not the slow Hearse, where nod the sable plumes
2. Sonnet 25. Fortunate Vale! exulting Hill! dear Plain!
3. Sonnet 71. While Summer Roses all their glory yield
4. Sonnet 15. The evening shines in May's luxuriant pride
5. Sonnet 11. How sweet to rove, from summer sun-beams veil'd

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