The Circle of Affection and Other Pieces in Prose and Verse

by Duncan Campbell Scott

 

EARLY SUMMER SONG

 
LEAVE THE purple violets peeping
        From the veinèd leaves,
Leave the amber river creeping
        Through the iris sheaves;
Maidens leave the shady wicket
5
        Where the beehives drone,
Seek the spring-head in the thicket,
        All for love alone.

Hide the scythes within the maple
        Leave them in the shade,
10
Leave the daisies white that dapple
        All the clover-glade;
Lad forsake the drowsy meadow
        And the swath half-mown,
Seek the spring-head in the shadow,
15
        All for love alone.

Surely prime will end in proving
        Age a plant of ruth;
Rosy age with root in loving
        Is the flower of youth;
20
Sweetest hours are the fleetest rovers
        When their wings are grown,
Lure them, happy, happy lovers
        All for love alone.