Cuckoo Song.
Cuckoo ! cuckoo ! in dawning daylight calling,1
When white mists cling to river-beds and reeds ;2
Cuckoo ! cuckoo ! when evening shades are falling,3
Again your voice along the twilight meads.4
It rains ! sharp hailstone balls in laurel arches5
Storm, rattle, patter, and the clouds hang near ;6
While hidden from sight, ’mid slender aisles of larches,7
You hopeful call monotonously clear.8
It shines ! smile bravely, earth, in all your splendour ;9
Green lawns and lilies greet the wooing sun :10
Cuckoo ! cuckoo ! in tones half-gay, half-tender,11
Sing to the world that summer is begun.12
So sings my love, too, rain or shiny weather ;13
She, like the cuckoo, soft voiced, changes not.14
So sing, sweetheart, while we two walk together,15
With chequered storm and sunshine for our lot !16