Enjoyment

Let each his wayward will pursue,
I envy not the laurel bough:--
I’ll have the myrtle drench’d in dew,
Which thou hast smiled on--maiden, thou!

I’ve seen the hero seek the fray,
I’ve seen the sage illume the world;
What then? They sparkled through their day,
And were to death’s oblivion hurl’d!

And whether roses o’er them bloom’d,
Or nettle weeds oppress’d the ground;
They were in silence’ breast entomb’d,
Nor heeded all that pass’d around.

Then grief begone--and welcome joy!
And three times welcome, love’s sweet bliss!
For as our days like arrows fly,
How precious every moment is!

Perchance e’en now the mandate’s given
To call the hurrying pilgrim home;
Perchance the azure arch of heaven
Now hears the summons--‘Mortal--come!’

O tarry not, fair maiden! give
Thy hours to rapture, and be blest!
And live, since time is fleeting, live
While pleasure’s life-blood warms thy breast.