Elegiac Song - Air, "Absence"

Elegiac Song - Air, "Absence"

Spring hath bless'd us with its flowers

Blooming on the woodland sod;
Birds have caroll'd o'er our bowers
Music wheresoe'er we've trod.

Gone! they've fled, and summer smiling
Came with sylphid step o'er earth,
All our fancied ills beguiling,
Wings to care and bliss to mirth.

Rang'd we gaily scenes of pleasure,
All the sense could ask, we found,
Nature's beauties fill'd our leisure,
Joy was dancing blythe around.

Summer pass'd: her smiles and blessing
Lingered long upon the vale,
Latest flow'rs and buds, caressing,
Breathing incense on the gale.

Autumn comes with plenty, shaking
Fruits from out her bounteous horn,
But no more their songs awaking,
Birds are soaring gay at morn.

No, they've pass'd where skies are gleaming.
Brighter with the hues of spring;
Far away where nature's teaming,
There they glide on joyous wing.

See! e'en now the leaves are falling
Sere and wither'd form each spray,
And the ruder blast appalling,
Wreathe our feelings dark as they!

But shall not a summer greet us,
Springs forever linger round
All the smiling seasons meet us
Void of ills, no change be found?

Yes, afar in words beyond us,
When this fever'd life is o'er,
Ever vernal scenes attend us,
Joys shall bloom forever more.

Arion

2:27, p. 214

1828.09.26