The Lawyer’s Invocation to Spring

Henry Howard Brownell (1820–1872)

WHEREAS, on certain boughs and sprays

Now divers birds are heard to sing,

And sundry flowers their heads upraise,

Hail to the coming on of spring!

The songs of those said birds arouse

The memory of our youthful hours,

As green as those said sprays and boughs,

As fresh and sweet as those said flowers.

The birds aforesaid,—happy pairs,—

Love, mid the aforesaid boughs, inshrines

In freehold nests; themselves, their heirs,

Administrators, and assigns.

O busiest term of Cupid’s Court,

Where tender plaintiffs actions bring,—

Season of frolic and of sport,

Hail, as aforesaid, coming spring!