Love and I, one summer day,
Took a walk together:
Oh, how beautiful the way
Through the blooming heather!
Far-off bells rang matin-chimes,
Birds sang, silver-voicing;
And our happy hearts beat time
To the earth’s rejoicing.
Well-a-day! ah well-a-day!
Then pale Grief had missed me,
And Mirth and I kept company,
Ere Cupid kissed me.
Love ran idly where he would,
Child-like, all unheeding;
I as carelessly pursued
The pathway he was leading,
Till upon the shadowed side
Of a cool, swift river,
Where the sunbeams smote the tide
Goldenly a-quiver:
Well-a-day! Ah well-a-day!
“Love, ” I cried, “come, rest thee.”
Ah, but Heart and I were gay,
Ere Cupid kissed me!
Shadows of the summer-cloud
Fell on near and far land,
Fragrantly the branches bowed
Every leafy garland;
While, with shining head at rest,
Next my heart reclining,
Love’s white arms, with soft caress,
Round my neck were twining;
Till—ah, well! Ah, well-a-day!
Love, who can resist thee? —
On the river-banks that day,
Cupid kissed me.
Woe is me! In cheerless plight,
By the cold sad river,
Seek I Love, who, taken flight,
Comes no more forever—
Love, from whom more pain than bliss
Every heart obtaineth;
For the joy soon vanishes,
While the pang remaineth.
Well-a-day! ah, well-a-day!
Would, Love, I had missed thee!
Peace and I are twain for aye,
Since Cupid kissed me!
