I reflected then upon the sweet Vicissitudes of Night and Day, on the charming Disposition of the Seasons, and their Return again in a perpetual Circle; and oh! said I, that I could from these my declining Years return again to my first Spring of Youth and Vigour; but that, alas! is impossible:  All that remains within my Power, is to soften the Inconveniences I feel, with an easie contented Mind, and the Enjoyment of such Delights as this Solitude affords me.  In this Thought I sate me down on a Bank of Flowers and dropt into a Slumber, which whether it were the Effect of Fumes and Vapours, or my present Thoughts, I know not; but methought the Genius of the Garden stood before me, and introduced into the Walk where I lay this Drama and different Scenes of the Revolution of the Year, which whilst I then saw, even in my Dream, I resolved to write down, and send to the SPECTATOR.

The first Person whom I saw advancing towards me was a Youth of a most beautiful Air and Shape, tho’ he seemed not yet arrived at that exact Proportion and Symmetry of Parts which a little more time would have given him; but however, there was such a Bloom in his Countenance, such Satisfaction and Joy, that I thought it the most desirable Form that I had ever seen.  He was cloathed in a flowing Mantle of green Silk, interwoven with Flowers:  He had a Chaplet of Roses on his Head, and a Narcissus in his Hand; Primroses and Violets sprang up under his Feet, and all Nature was cheer’d at his Approach. Flora was on one Hand and Vertumnus on the other in a Robe of changeable Silk.  After this I was surprized to see the Moon-beams reflected with a sudden Glare from Armour, and to see a Man compleatly armed advancing with his Sword drawn.  I was soon informed by the Genius it was Mars, who had long usurp’d a Place among the Attendants of the Spring.  He made Way for a softer Appearance, it was Venus, without any Ornament but her own Beauties, not so much as her own Cestus, with which she had incompass’d a Globe, which she held in her right Hand, and in her left she had a Sceptre of Gold.  After her followed the Graces with their Arms intwined within one another, their Girdles were loosed, and they moved to the Sound of soft Musick, striking the Ground alternately with their Feet:  Then came up the three Months which belong to this Season.  As March advanced towards me, there was methought in his Look a louring Roughness, which ill befitted a Month which was ranked in so soft a Season; but as he came forwards his Features became insensibly more mild and gentle:  He smooth’d his Brow, and looked with so sweet a Countenance that I could not but lament his Departure, though he made way for April.  He appeared in the greatest Gaiety imaginable, and had a thousand Pleasures to attend him:  His Look was frequently clouded, but immediately return’d to its first Composure, and remained fixed in a Smile.  Then came May attended