UNDER boughs of breathing May, In the mild spring-time I lay, Lonely, for I had no love; And the sweet birds all sang for pity, Cuckoo, lark, and dove. Tell me, cuckoo, then I cried, Dare I woo and wed a bride? I, like thee, have no home-nest; And the twin notes thus tuned their ditty, -- 'Love can answer best.' Nor, warm dove with tender coo, Have I thy soft voice to woo, Even were a damsel by; And the deep woodland crooned its ditty, -- 'Love her first and try.' Nor have I, wild lark, thy wing, That from bluest heaven can bring Bliss, whatever fate befall; And the sky-lyrist trilled this ditty, -- 'Love will give thee all.' So it chanced while June was young, Wooing well with fervent song, I had won a damsel coy; And the sweet birds that sang for pity, Jubileed for joy. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE FAIR CLARINDA, WHO MADE LOVE TO ME by APHRA BEHN CHARLIE MACHREE by WILLIAM JAMES HOPPIN A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 8 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN BETSY'S BATTLE FLAG by MINNA IRVING A BURIAL-PLACE by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM A CHARACTER OF JOSEPH PRIESTLY by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD HE WILL GIVE ME POWER by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE THE WANDERER: 3. IN ENGLAND: THE DEATH OF KING HACON by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |