Oh! come to the river's rim, come to us there, For the white water-lily is wondrous fair, With her large broad leaves on the stream afloat, (Each one a capacious fairy boat), The swan among FLOWERS! how stately ride Of the long summer's day, And the zephyrs play; Oh! dwell not in cities mid cark and care, But come to the river's rim, come to us there. COME, thou beautiful blossoming Spring, And to me thy loveliest flow'rets bring; Come! let their bright leaves encircle thy brow, Oh, linger no more 'neath the fleecy veil As grieved to see thee its whiteness excel In the virgin hue of the snowdrop's bell. Then gaze upon earth with thine azure eyes, And bid their emblem, the violet, rise On the greenwood-bank, where the primrose pale And the regal crocus, in purple and gold, Come we are weary of wind and storm; Gladden our hearts with thy fairy form; Paint the first daisy's wee crimson tip," And bid the birds sing on each branch and spray, When Winter retreats, and thou art free, Floating around us on fragrant wing, And gemmed with soft dew-drops-thou fair young Spring! |