Solomon, a Serenata, in Three Parts, Part II

The cheerful spring begins to-day, Arise my Fair One! come away.

Sweet musick steals along the air— Hark!—my beloved's voice I hear.

"Arise my Fair! and come away, "The cheerful spring begins to-day; "Bleak Winter's gone with all his train "Of chilling frosts and dropping rain: "Amidst the verdure of the mead "The primrose lifts her velvet head, "The warbling birds the woods among "Salute the season with a song, "The cooing turtle in the grove "Renews his tender tale of love, "The vines their infant tendrils shoot, "The figtree bends with early fruit; "All welcome in the genial ray: "Arise my Fair! and come away.

"All welcome in the genial ray: "Arise O Fair One! come away.

"Together let us range the fields "Impearled with the morning dew, "Or view the fruits the vineyard yields, "Or the apple's clust'ring bough; "There in close-embower'd shades, "Impervious to the noontide ray, "By tinkling rills on rosy beds "We 'll love the sultry hours away."

How lovely art thou to the sight, For pleasure form'd and sweet delight! Tall as the palmtree is thy shape, Thy breasts are like the clust'ring grape.

"Let me, Love! thy bole ascending, "On the swelling clusters feed, "With my grasp the vinetree bending "In my close embrace shall bleed.

"Stay me with delicious kisses "From thy honey-dropping mouth, "Sweeter than the summer breezes "Blowing from the genial South."

O that a sister's specious name Conceal'd from prying eyes my flame! Uncensur'd then I 'd own my love, And chastest virgins should approve; Then fearless to my mother's bed My seeming brother would I lead, Soft transports should the hours employ, And the deceit should crown the joy.

"Soft! I adjure you by the fawns "That bound across the flow'ry lawns, "Ye Virgins! that ye lightly move, "Nor with your whispers wake my love."

My fair 's a garden of delight Enclos'd and hid from vulgar sight, Where streams from bubbling fountains stray And roses deck the verdant way.

"Softly arise, O Southern Breeze! "And kindly fan the blooming trees, "Upon my spicy garden blow, "That sweets from ev'ry part may flow."

"Ye Southern Breezes! gently blow, "That sweets from ev'ry part may flow."