VIII.

Before you, bear, thought of spring,
Except as a surmise,
You see, God bless his suddenness,
A worm in your cave
Of cozy hibernation,
A little thin-looking,
Inspiriting habiliments
Of mildew and mold.

With specimens of ooze,
As if for you to lick,
Discretion in the interval,
With gay delays he goes
To some superior rock
On a foolish whim
And wiggles for joy!
Before you eat him.

—

The more-general version.