The Halcyon

WHY o'er the verdant banks of ooze
Does yonder Halcyon speed so fast?
'Tis all because she would not lose
Her fav'rite calm, that will not last.

The sun with azure paints the skies,
The stream reflects each flow'ry spray,
And, frugal of her time, she flies
To take her fill of love and play.

See her, when rugged Boreas blows,
Warm in some rocky cell remain;
To seek for pleasure, well she knows,
Would only then enhance the pain.

" Descend," she cries, "thou hated show'r,
" Deform my limpid waves to-day,
" For I have chose a fairer hour
" To take my fill of love and play?"

You, too, my Silvia, sure will own
Life's azure seasons swiftly roll,
And when our youth or health is flown,
To think of love but shocks the soul.

Could Damon but deserve thy charms,
As thou art Damon's only theme,
He'd fly as quick to Delia's arms
As yonder Halcyon skims the stream.