| Samuel Kettell, ed. Specimens of American Poetry. 1829. | | | | Song | | By Robert S. Coffin (1797–1827) |
| | | LOVE, the leaves are falling round thee; | |
| All the forest trees are bare; | |
| Winter’s snow will soon surround thee, | |
| Soon will frost thy raven hair: | |
| Then say, with me, | 5 |
| 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. | 10 |
| |
| Love, the rose lies withering by thee, | |
| And the lily blooms no more; | |
| Nature’s charms will quickly fly thee, | |
| Chilling rains around thee pour: | |
| Oh, then with me, | 15 |
| 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? | 20 |
| |
| Love, the moon is shining for thee; | |
| All the lamps of heaven are bright; | |
| Holy spirits glide before thee, | |
| Urging on thy tardy flight; | |
| Then say, with me, | 25 |
| Love, wilt thou flee, | |
| Nor wait the sun’s returning light? | |
| Time’s finger rude, | |
| Will soon intrude | |
| Relentless, all thy blushing beauties blight. | 30 |
| |
| Love, the flowers no longer greet thee, | |
| All their lovely hues are fled! | |
| No more the violet springs to meet thee, | |
| Lifting slow its modest head: | |
| Then say, with me, | 35 |
| Love, wilt thou flee, | |
| And leave this darkling desert dread? | |
| And seek a clime | |
| Of joy sublime, | |
| Where fadeless flowers a lasting fragrance shed? | 40 | | | |
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