John Payne (1842–1916)

STRAIGHT and swift the swallows fly

To the sojourn of the sun;

All the golden year is done,

All the flower-time flitted by;

Thro’ the boughs the witch-winds sigh;

But heart’s summer is begun;

Life and love at last are one;

Love-lights glitter in the sky.

Summer days were soon outrun

With the setting of the sun;

Love’s delight is never done.

Let the turn-coat roses die;

We are lovers, Love and I;

In Love’s lips my roses lie.