Love Ephemeral

Love is sweet, and so are flowers
Blooming in bright summer bowers;
So are waters, clear and pure,
In some hidden fountain's store;

So is the soft southern breeze
Sighing low among the trees;
So is the bright queen of heaven
Reigning in the quiet even.

Yet the pallid moon may breed
Madness in man's feeble seed;
And the wind's soft influence
Often breathes the pestilence;

And the waves may sullied be
As they hurry to the sea;
Flowers soon must fade away:
Love endures but for a day.