| |
| | No hay pájaros en los nidos de antaño. |
| Spanish Proverb. |
THE SUN is bright,—the air is clear, | |
| The darting swallows soar and sing, | |
| And from the stately elms I hear | |
| The bluebird prophesying Spring. | |
| |
| So blue yon winding river flows, | 5 |
| It seems an outlet from the sky, | |
| Where, waiting till the west wind blows, | |
| The freighted clouds at anchor lie. | |
| |
| All things are new;—the buds, the leaves, | |
| That gild the elm-tree’s nodding crest, | 10 |
| And even the nest beneath the eaves;— | |
| There are no birds in last year’s nest! | |
| |
| All things rejoice in youth and love, | |
| The fulness of their first delight! | |
| And learn from the soft heavens above | 15 |
| The melting tenderness of night. | |
| |
| Maiden, that read’st this simple rhyme, | |
| Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay; | |
| Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime, | |
| For oh, it is not always May! | 20 |
| |
| Enjoy the Spring of Love and Youth, | |
| To some good angel leave the rest; | |
| For Time will teach thee soon the truth, | |
| There are no birds in last year’s nest! | |
| |
