THE IMPATIENT LOVER.

Haste hither, my love, the river
     Is tinged with the pale moonlight,
The leaves of the dark trees quiver,
     And throb in the parting night.
Why linger, my love, why linger?

     Swift fly the hours away,
And soon will Aurora’s finger
     Point to the dawning day.

The Spirit of Morn doth hover
     Above the horizon dark,

’Tis time that both Maid and Lover
     Were safe in their waiting bark;
Then hasten to meet me, dearest,
     Why does my true-love stay? [Page 206]
Oh! haste, and your loved-one nearest,

     We’ll leave ere the dawn of day.

As the Spring-time awaits the Summer,
     With longing I wait for thee;
All graceful the gay new comer
     Trips smilingly o’er the lea;

As Summer the Spring embraces,
     So chide I thy long delay;
Now we’ll leave ere Aurora chases
     The mists from the waking day. [Page 207]