Hail to thee, spirit of hope! whom men call Spring; br Youngest and fairest of the four, who guide br Our mortal year along Time's rapid tide. br Spirit of life! the old decrepit earth br Has heard thy voice, and at a wondrous birth, br Forth springing from her dark, mysterious womb, br A thousand germs of light and beauty come. br Thy breath is on the waters, and they leap br From their bright winter-woven fetters free; br Along the shore their sparkling billows sweep, br And greet thee with a gush of melody. br The air is full of music, wild and sweet, br Made by the joyous waving of the trees, br Wherein a thousand wingèd minstrels meet, br And by the work-song of the early bees, br In the white blossoms fondly murmuring, br And founts, that in the blessèd sunshine sing: br Hail to thee! maiden with the bright blue eyes! br And showery robe, all steeped in starry dew; br Hail to thee! as thou ridest through the skies, br Upon thy rainbow car of various hue.