"Awake, my beloved! my far, come away"

"Awake, my beloved! my far, come away"

"Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo! the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." - Text of an eloquent sermon.

Awake, my beloved! my fair, come away,
While the song of the grove hails the rising of day;
Lo! June's blooming treasures enamel the lawn,
And the cold storms of winter are over and gone.

O, sweet as thy breath is each zephyr that blows,
And bright as thy cheek is the blush of the rose;
And soft as thine accents of tenderness bland,
Is the voice of the turtle-dove heard in our land.

Then come, and I'll lead thee to close woven bowers,
Where the wild brook flows smoothly through margins of flowers,
Where the shy steps of love no intrusion need fear,
And its tender confidings no mortal can hear.

Alas, that the glories of morning should fly!
That the bud of the rose should just open and die;
That spring, the blest season of love, should depart,
And the voice of the turtle no more touch the heart!

Thus beauty decays - but returns never more!
And the spring time of youth - ah, how soon is it o'er!
Then enjoy youth, and spring-time, and morn, while you may -
O rise, my beloved! my fair, come away!

Unattributed

2:17, p. 68

1838.06.16

From the Newark Daily Advertiser