 | Songs and poems(1866) |  |
ONE SUNDAY MORN IN CHEERFUL MAY.
One Sunday morn in cheerful May,
When all was clad in best array,
Young Cælia tripp'd the garden gay
With robes of various dye:
The choicest flow'rs the virgin chose,
The lily pale, the blushing rose
With all that most delights the nose
Or tempts the wand'ring eye.
When all was clad in best array,
Young Cælia tripp'd the garden gay
With robes of various dye:
The choicest flow'rs the virgin chose,
The lily pale, the blushing rose
With all that most delights the nose
Or tempts the wand'ring eye.
In artful rank when each was plac'd,
She fix'd the favourites on her breast,
O happy, happy flow'rs possess'd
Of such a heavenly seat!
But they with envy view the fair,
And (vain attempts!) presumptuous dare
With Cælia's beauties to compare,
And rival charms so great.
She fix'd the favourites on her breast,
O happy, happy flow'rs possess'd
Of such a heavenly seat!
But they with envy view the fair,
And (vain attempts!) presumptuous dare
With Cælia's beauties to compare,
And rival charms so great.
The rose displays its purple dyes,
Ten thousand sweets at once surprize;
Ungrateful sight to Cælia's eyes!
Her cheeks a blush disclose!
So much the glowing blush became,
Superior sweets so graced the dame,
The rose sunk down its head for shame,
And durst no more oppose.
Ten thousand sweets at once surprize;
Ungrateful sight to Cælia's eyes!
Her cheeks a blush disclose!
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Superior sweets so graced the dame,
The rose sunk down its head for shame,
And durst no more oppose.
The lily next resists the maid
In robes of purest white array'd
Its beauties gracefully display'd
Her finest charms defy'd;
The blood forsook the fair one's face,
A sudden paleness took its place,
But paleness mix'd with such a grace
As check'd the lily's pride.
In robes of purest white array'd
Its beauties gracefully display'd
Her finest charms defy'd;
The blood forsook the fair one's face,
A sudden paleness took its place,
But paleness mix'd with such a grace
As check'd the lily's pride.
The flow'rs thus foil'd in single fight
Their force with utmost speed invite,
With lavished odours all unite
And scent the neighbouring air.
She sighs—such balmy breezes fly,
Such fragrant sweets perfume the sky,
The flowers drop down their heads and die
Oppress'd with deep despair.
Their force with utmost speed invite,
With lavished odours all unite
And scent the neighbouring air.
She sighs—such balmy breezes fly,
Such fragrant sweets perfume the sky,
The flowers drop down their heads and die
Oppress'd with deep despair.
| Songs and poems(1866) | |