Poems, Chiefly Lyrical/Song (5)

by Alfred Tennyson

For works with similar titles, see Song.

SONG.

 

I.The lintwhite and the throstlecockHave voices sweet and clear;All in the blooméd May.They from the blosmy brereCall to the fleeting year,If that he would them hearAnd stay.Alas! that one so beautifulShould have so dull an ear.

II.Fair year, fair year, thy children call,But thou art deaf as death;All in the blooméd May.When thy light perishethThat from thee issueth,Our life evanisheth:Oh! stay.Alas! that lips so cruel-dumbShould have so sweet a breath!

III.Fair year, with brows of royal loveThou comest, as a king.All in the blooméd May.Thy golden largess fling,And longer hear us sing;Though thou art fleet of wing,Yet stay.Alas! that eyes so full of lightShould be so wandering!

IV.Thy locks are all of sunny sheenIn rings of gold yronne,^[1]All in the blooméd May.We pri'thee pass not on;If thou dost leave the sun,Delight is with thee gone,Oh! stay.Thou art the fairest of thy feres,We pri'thee pass not on.

1. "His crispè hair in ringis was yronne."
   Chaucer, Knight's Tale.