Glimpses of Antiquity Being a collection of metrical sketches, in the form of ballads, lyrics, &c., with main reference to mediaeval times or classical subjects. By George F. Preston [i.e. J. B. L. Warren] |
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HUNTER'S SONG. |
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 | Glimpses of Antiquity |  |
68
HUNTER'S SONG.
Summer changes sere to sheen,
Winter's dusk is summer's green,
When nightingales trill out between
Dainty myrtle bushes.
Winter's dusk is summer's green,
When nightingales trill out between
Dainty myrtle bushes.
Care till winter cast we by,
Time enough when flowers must die,
Seldom sullen, while the sky
With cloudless sunray flushes.
Time enough when flowers must die,
Seldom sullen, while the sky
With cloudless sunray flushes.
Ill and good gives every hour,
Light and shade, or sun and shower;
Rathe return of shine and lower
Fortune's orbit teaches.
Light and shade, or sun and shower;
Rathe return of shine and lower
Fortune's orbit teaches.
Fine to-day—'twere scath and wrong
To doubt; mistrusts the linnet's song?
Yet summer's swallow flits among
The mellow mere-side reaches:
To doubt; mistrusts the linnet's song?
Yet summer's swallow flits among
The mellow mere-side reaches:
69
Yonder by the white-rose briar
Careless birdlings pipe and quire.
Shall fear of winter make our lyre
One erring chord deliver?
Careless birdlings pipe and quire.
Shall fear of winter make our lyre
One erring chord deliver?
When our dole or dance is done,
Other harps of fuller tone
Sound the lays of ages gone,
And save great song for ever!
Other harps of fuller tone
Sound the lays of ages gone,
And save great song for ever!
Fate a river broad and wide,
Sweeps us all upon its tide;
Laughter-freighted will we glide,
Not with tears and wail.
Sweeps us all upon its tide;
Laughter-freighted will we glide,
Not with tears and wail.
Nature pleases well our eyes,
Fortune merry heart defies,
Sad or merry, summer flies,
Youth and lustre fail!
Fortune merry heart defies,
Sad or merry, summer flies,
Youth and lustre fail!
| Glimpses of Antiquity | |