 | Madrigals, songs and sonnets |  |
141
CAVALIER SONG.
Maiden, deign to wait and smile
On my suppliant lute awhile!
Surely when thy fragrant breath,
Flying from its rosy gates,
Has such music in't that Death,
About to slay thy lover, waits,
And, overcome by strange surprise,
Seeks that music in thine eyes,—
Surely then my tender song
Can do your ling'ring ears no wrong!
On my suppliant lute awhile!
Surely when thy fragrant breath,
Flying from its rosy gates,
Has such music in't that Death,
About to slay thy lover, waits,
And, overcome by strange surprise,
Seeks that music in thine eyes,—
Surely then my tender song
Can do your ling'ring ears no wrong!
Maiden, stay! the hours flit by;
At last a day will come to die;
All men at last must let their hair
With rosemary and yew be twin'd;
However brave they be and fair,
Short time for pleasure they can find;
Oh! let them then at once be wise,
And fan the love-light in their eyes,
Before they lie in their cold home,
For there's no kissing in the tomb!
At last a day will come to die;
142
With rosemary and yew be twin'd;
However brave they be and fair,
Short time for pleasure they can find;
Oh! let them then at once be wise,
And fan the love-light in their eyes,
Before they lie in their cold home,
For there's no kissing in the tomb!
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