Six Songs , opus 26

Come when Spring touches with gentle finger
   The snows that linger
   Among the hills;
When to our homestead return the swallows,
   And in the hollows
   Bloom daffodils.

Or, if thou tarry, come with the Summer,
   That welcome comer,
   Welcome as he;
When noon-tide sunshine beats on the meadow,
   A seat in shadow
   We'll keep for thee.

Or, if it please thee, come to the reaping,
   When to safe keeping
   They bring the sheaves;
When Autumn decketh with coloured splendour
   And pathos tender
   The dying leaves.

Or come and warm us when Winter freezes,
   And northern breezes
   Are keen and cold,
With loving glances, and close hand-pressings,
   And fervent blessings
   That grow not old.

Nay! do not linger; for each to-morrow
   Will break in sorrow
   If thou delay:
Come to us quickly; our hearts are burning
   With tender yearning:
   Come, come to-day.

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I dare not ask a kiss,
    I dare not beg a smile,
Lest having that, or this,
    I might grow proud the while.

No, no, the utmost share
    Of my desire shall be
Only to kiss that air
    That lately kissed thee.

The blossoms blush on the bough,
And the air is full of song,
Oh give me my answer now,
Dear Love, I have waited long!

The blossoms mantle and flush, --
I see but the rose in your cheek, --
And the birds their music hush,
For the fate your lips may speak.

I listen for life or death,
With hope's deep rapture stirred,
And faint as the blossoms' breath
Comes your low, delicious word.

And the earth reels under my feet,--
O blossoms that burn on the bough!
With the strength of a joy so sweet,
For I have my answer now!

O my Garden, full of roses,
Red as passion and as sweet,
Failing not when summer closes,
Lasting on through snow and heat!

O my Garden full of lilies
White as peace and very tall,
In your midst my heart so still is,
I can hear the least leaf fall!

O my Garden full of singing,
From the birds that house therein,
Sweet songs down the sweet day ringing,
Till the nightingale begin!

O my Garden, where such shade is 
O my Garden bright with sun,
O my loveliest of Ladies,
Of all gardens sweetest one.

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