Public-domain source text

A Pleasing Illusion

by James McIntyre

From Standard Ebooks · standardebooks/james-mcintyre_poetry

I saw a pleasing sight this spring, Seem’d like a hundred ducks on wing; Fluttering o’er the crystal water, I felt like rippling o’er with laughter.
When the truth it did awaken, In silver ducks I was mistaken; It was the sunbeam’s merry dancing, That on the water I saw glancing.
Rejoicing that from bonds of ice They were free these pearls of price; Though banks were bound with fringe of snow, Which gave more lustre to the glow.
So ’tis no wonder that we sing About the glories of the spring; Each day fresh beauties will be seen, When fields are cover’d o’er with green.
Adieu to Winter brings no grief, For we do long for bud and leaf; Which are brought out by sunny showers, And covers landscape with the flowers.
The sun is glorious orb of day, Refulgent is each sparkling ray; The moon she is the Queen of Night, Enthroned among the stars so bright.

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This is a source transcription from Standard Ebooks, published in Past Poetry’s public-domain archive without line-by-line editorial notes. Public-domain source edition. Availability can vary by territory.

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