Time and the Lady
Haste, maiden, haste! the spray has come to budding,
The dawn creeps o’er the heavens gold and fair.
Come, see the bud ere breaking, the languid day awaking.
‘A moment, Time, until I bind my hair.’
Come, maiden, come! the bud has burst to blossom,
The sun has kissed the earth and found it sweet.
Come, lest you lose, adorning, the beauty of the morning.
‘A moment, Time, a moment, till I eat.’
Come, maiden, come! ripe fruits are on the branches,
The evening star is glowing in the blue;
The breeze’s breath grows colder. Come ere the day is older!
‘A moment till I sip—I’m then with you.’
Quick, maiden, quick! Death’s hand has stripped the leafing;
Night frees her clouding hair from bonds that keep.
Quick! lest you’re lost for ever, in the gloom to find me never.
‘A moment, Time, a moment, till I sleep.’
