ABSTRACT
In that soft Season when descending Showers Call forth the Greens, and wake the rising Flowers; When opening Buds salute the welcome Day, And Earth relenting feels the Genial Ray; As balmy Sleep had charm'd my Cares to Rest, 5 And Love it self was banish'd from my Breast, (What Time the Morn mysterious Visions brings, While purer Slumbers spread their golden Wings) A Train of Phantoms in wild Order rose, And, join'd, this Intellectual Scene compose. 10
I stood, methought, betwixt Earth, Seas, and Skies; The whole Creation open to my Eyes: In Air self-ballanc'd hung the Globe below, Where Mountains rise, and circling Oceans flow; Here naked Rocks, and empty Wastes were seen, 15 There Tow'ry Cities, and the Forests green: Here sailing Ships delight the wand'ring Eyes; There Trees, and intermingl'd Temples rise: Now a clear Sun the shining Scene displays, The transient Landscape now in Clouds decays. 20
O'er the wide Prospect as I gaz'd around, Sudden I heard a wild promiscuous Sound,
4. relenting] 'melt[ing] under the influence of heat' (OED). 10. Intellectual] Ideal; perceived by the intellect, not the senses. II ff. Pope's note quotes Chaucer ii 389 ff.
