Love

Song

by Thomas Gray 1716–1771

From Works, ed. Gosse, vol. I (1884)

Love

Thyrsis, when we parted, swore
Ere the spring he would return —
Ah! what means yon violet flower!
And the buds that deck the thorn!
'Twas the Lark that upward sprung!
'Twas the Nightingale that sung!

Idle notes! untimely green!
Why this unavailing haste?
Western gales and skies serene
Speak not always winter past.
Cease, my doubts, my fears to move,
Spare the honour of my love.

MLA

Gray, Thomas. “Song.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/gray/30/.

Chicago

Gray, Thomas. “Song.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/gray/30/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Thomas Gray