Spring 

         Spring has arrived, and joyously the birds 
now welcome her return with festive song, 
and the streams, caressed by soft airs, are heard 
to murmur sweetly as they course along. 

Casting their dark mantle over heaven, 
thunderstorms, her chosen heralds, roar; 
when they have died away to silence, then 
the birds fill the air with song once more. 

And now, upon the flower-strewn meadow, 
with leafy branches rustling overhead, 
the goatherd sleeps, his faithful dog beside him. 

By festive sound of rustic bagpipes led, 
nymphs and shepherds dance beneath the shining 
canopy of spring with sprightly tread. 

Summer 

Beneath the blazing sun's relentless heat 
men and flocks are sweltering, pines are scorched; 
the cuckoo's voice is raised, and soon the sweet 
songs of the turtle dove and finch are heard. 

Soft breezes stir the air, but the contentious 
north wind sweeps them suddenly aside; 
the weeping shepherd trembles at the threat 
of violent storm and what it may bring.   

He rouses his weary body from rest 
in fear of lightning's flash and thunder's roar 
and angry flies and gnats that swarm around. 

Alas, his fears are well founded!  
The heavens growl and flash and hail-stones pound 
the ripened corn that proudly stood before. 

Autumn 

The peasants celebrate with song and dance  
the harvest safely gathered in: 
Bacchus' flowing bowl intoxicates 
and many a reveler sinks into a sleep. 

The singing and the dancing die away 
as cooling breezes fan the balmy air; 
the summons of the season all obey: 
to yield to sweet repose without a care. 

At dawn the hunters, ready for the chase, 
emerge with horns and guns and dogs and cries; 
the prey breaks cover, they now pursue apace. 

The din of guns and dogs now terrifies 
the wounded prey, who for a little space 
tries wearily to flee but, is caught and dies. 

Winter 

To shiver frozen mid the frosty snow 
in unrelenting winds that bite and sting, 
to stamp one's icy feet, run to and fro, 
one's teeth for bitter chill a-chattering; 

To muse contentedly beside the hearth 
while those outsides are drenched by pouring rain; 
with cautious step to tread the icy path 
in fear of falling advance with care.   

If we turn abruptly, we slip, crash on the ground 
and, rising, hasten on across the ice 
until it cracks and splinters all around; 

To hear the winds burst with ferocious might 
their prison gates and clash with martial sound-- 
this is the winter, such are its delights.