82 COME FORTH! FOR THE MORNING IS BREAKING. 2 Come forth! The brisk bee for the lily And the snail, though so tardy and silly, Then leave your dark chamber, and stay not And to braid your dark tresses delay not, 3 Pretty sluggard! Unheeded the linnets And perhaps some new chords I will borrow, And ask you to sing while I play. COME FORTH FOR THE MORNING IS BREAKING. 83 4 But no, as you then may be dreaming, I will come to you, dear, while the light Of the kind star of eve is still gleaming, Ere your lattice is closed for the night. Meanwhile I will learn a new ditty, Or I'll bring you a song of my own, In the hope I may move you to pity, And for calling you early atone. AND PUNCTUAL I WENT TO THE BOWER. 1 AND punctual I went to the bower, With my lute and my song at love's hour, I heard merry sounds in short distance, With my chords, or beat time to the tune. AND PUNCTUAL I WENT TO THE BOWER. 85 2 When I enter'd my heart went much faster For I saw that no waltzer surpass'd her, And no eyes flash'd like hers in the room. Her hair which was cunningly braided, Wore a wreath, but more sweet was her sigh; The rose on her cheek had not faded, With her bosom no lily could vie. 3 No diamond her swan-neck encumber'd, Her sandals-I wish'd she still slumber'd Made me feel as they twinkled quite stern. Like a mesmerised bumpkin to dance. 4 In vain at the dawn near her pillow, And my verse in the stream I may fling. 5 So I vow'd I would seek a French tutor As my own rustic ways did not suit her, And her dreams in the morning were sweet. I would visit her only by starlight, And sing her some soft Southern lay, Or would dance with her into the far night, |