I.
ARIEL.
WHEN in spring the gentle rain
Breathes into the flower new birth,
When the green and happy plain
Smiles upon the sons of earth,
Haste to give what help we may,
Little elves of wondrous might!
Whether good or evil they,
Pity for them feels the sprite.
II.
CHORUS OF SPIRITS.
WHEN the moist and balmy gale
Round the verdant meadow sighs,
Odors sweet in misty veil
At the twilight-hour arise.
Murmurings soft of calm repose
Rock the heart to child-like rest,
And the day’s bright portals close
On the eyes with toil oppress’d.
Night already reigns o’er all,
Strangely star is link’d to star;
Planets mighty, sparkling small,
Glitter near and gleam afar.
Gleam above in clearer night,
Glitter in the glassy sea;
Pledging pure and calm delight,
Rules the moon in majesty.
Now each well-known hour is over,
Joy and grief have pass’d away;
Feel betimes! thoult then recover:
Trust the newborn eye of day.
Vales grow verdant, hillocks teem,
Shady nooks the bushes yield,
And with waving, silvery gleam,
Rocks the harvest in the field.
Wouldst thou wish for wish obtain,
Look upon yon glittering ray!
Lightly on thee lies the chain,
Cast the shell of sleep away!
Tarry not, but be thou bold,
When the many loiter still;
All with ease may be controll’d
By the man of daring will.
III.
ARIEL.
HARK! the storm of hours draws near,
Loudly to the spirit-ear
Signs of coming day appear.
Rocky gates are wildly crashing,
Phoebus’ wheels are onward dashing;
(A wonderful noise proclaims the approach of the sun.)
Light doth mighty sounds beget!
Pealing loud as rolling thunder,
Eye and ear it fills with wonder,
Though itself unconscious yet.
Downward steals it,’mongst the flowers
Seeking deeper, stiller bowers,
‘Mongst the foliage, ‘neath the rock;
Thou’lt be deafened by the shock!
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