The Human Seasons
The Human Seasons
Original Text
Leigh Hunt, The Literary Pocket-Book: or, Companion for the Lover of Nature and Art (London: C. & J. Ollier, 1818-22). 5 vols. AY L584 MICR mfm
2 There are four seasons in the mind of man:
3He has his lusty Spring, when fancy clear
4 Takes in all beauty with an easy span:
5He has his Summer, when luxuriously
6 Spring's honied cud of youthful thought he loves
8 Is nearest unto heaven: quiet coves
9His soul has in its Autumn, when his wings
10 He furleth close; contented so to look
11On mists in idleness--to let fair things
12 Pass by unheeded as a threshold brook.
13He has his Winter too of pale misfeature,
14Or else he would forego his mortal nature.
Notes
1] An early version of this poem was included in a letter of March 13, 1818. Back to Line
7] high/Is. This is an editorial emendation which first appeared in Life, Letters etc., 1848. The first published form reads "nigh His." Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1819
RPO poem Editors
J. R. MacGillivray
RPO Edition
3RP 2.625.
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