And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue Do paint the meadows with delight, The cuckoo then, on every tree, Mocks married men; for thus sings he, Cuckoo ; Cuckoo, cuckoo :-O word of fear, Unpleasing to a married ear! When shepherds pipe on oaten straws And merry larks are ploughmen's clocks, When turtles tread, and rooks, and daws, And maidens bleach their summer smocks, The cuckoo then, on every tree, Mocks married men; for thus sings he, Cuckoo ; Cuckoo, cuckoo :-O word of fear, Unpleasing to a married ear! O Mistress mine, where are you roaming? O stay and hear; your true-love's coming That can sing both high and low : Trip no further, pretty sweeting; Every wise man's son doth know. What is Love? 'tis not hereafter; Present mirth hath present laughter; What's to come is still unsure: In delay their lies no plenty; Then come kiss me, sweet and-twenty :- |