Samuel Kettell, ed. Specimens of American Poetry. 1829.
By SongRobert S. Coffin (17971827)
L
All the forest trees are bare;
Winter’s snow will soon surround thee,
Soon will frost thy raven hair:
Then say, with me,
Love, wilt thou flee,
Nor wait to hear sad autumn’s prayer?
For winter rude
Will soon intrude,
Nor aught of summer’s blushing beauties spare.
And the lily blooms no more;
Nature’s charms will quickly fly thee,
Chilling rains around thee pour:
Oh, then with me,
Love, wilt thou flee,
Ere whirling tempests round thee roar,
And winter dread
Shall frost thy head,
And all thy raven ringlets silver o’er?
All the lamps of heaven are bright;
Holy spirits glide before thee,
Urging on thy tardy flight;
Then say, with me,
Love, wilt thou flee,
Nor wait the sun’s returning light?
Time’s finger rude,
Will soon intrude
Relentless, all thy blushing beauties blight.
All their lovely hues are fled!
No more the violet springs to meet thee,
Lifting slow its modest head:
Then say, with me,
Love, wilt thou flee,
And leave this darkling desert dread?
And seek a clime
Of joy sublime,
Where fadeless flowers a lasting fragrance shed?