Love and Spring.
One far-off day, when Time was young,1
And Spring, a new-born fairy,2
About the world her mantle flung3
With many a sweet vagary,4
The chiming of the lily bells,5
Her dainty footsteps after,6
The busy brook, where rippling dwells7
Soft echo of her laughter,8
Awoke young Love, who sleeping lay ;9
Then up the urchin started,10
And vowed by all the buds of May11
They’d never more be parted.12
Her heart beneath its golden zone13
Grew lighter than a feather ;14
If Love and Spring are fair alone,15
What must they be together ?16
A power that earth to heaven uplifts—17
Ah, wisely was it fated,18
That two of Jove’s divinest gifts19
Should be for ever mated !20