 | Cuckoo songs |  |
24
The Wood-Dove
The skies they were leaden, the snowflakes were falling;
No blackbird or linnet was courting or calling:
But the wood-dove's soft moaning was heard in the distance,
And her song, all of love, came with dulcet persistence.
No blackbird or linnet was courting or calling:
But the wood-dove's soft moaning was heard in the distance,
And her song, all of love, came with dulcet persistence.
O what though the nests were all flooded with water,
And the cold eggs should give them no sweet son or daughter,
She was dreamy with pleasure for her true love beside her,
And the day shone as fair as though young leaves did hide her.
And the cold eggs should give them no sweet son or daughter,
25
And the day shone as fair as though young leaves did hide her.
O Love, moaned the wood-dove, the sweet voice of Summer,
'Twere death, it were madness, were my love a roamer.
But Love, true and faithful, what power has cold weather
To still our sweet songs, Love, since we are together?
'Twere death, it were madness, were my love a roamer.
But Love, true and faithful, what power has cold weather
To still our sweet songs, Love, since we are together?
Then I to my true love, true love is enough, Love,
And how wise is the wood-dove who learns that lore off, Love;
'Tis our charm for the winter, when wintry winds cry, Love,
And when in the grave on your heart I shall lie, Love.
And how wise is the wood-dove who learns that lore off, Love;
'Tis our charm for the winter, when wintry winds cry, Love,
And when in the grave on your heart I shall lie, Love.
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