Lyrical Intermezzo, 24

O why have the roses lost their hue,
Sweet love, O tell me why?
Why mutely thus do the violets blue
In the verdant meadows sigh?

O why doth the lark up high in the air
With a voice so mournful sing?
O why doth each fragrant floweret fair
Exhale like a poisonous thing?

O wherefore looks the sun to-day
On the fields, so full of gloom?
O why doth the earth appear so grey,
And dreary as a tomb?

Why feel I myself so mournful and weak,--
Sweet love, I put it to thee?
My own sweet darling, sweet love, O speak,--
O wherefore leavest thou me?