English poem
Stay, ruby breasted warbler, stay
by John Keats
Stay, ruby breasted warbler, stay
TUNE – “Julia to the Wood Robin”
1 Stay, ruby breasted warbler, stay, And let me see thy sparkling eye; Oh brush not yet the pearl strung spray, Nor bow thy pretty head to fly.
2 Stay while I tell thee, fluttering thing, That thou of love an emblem art; Yes! patient plume thy little wing, Whilst I my thoughts to thee impart.
3 When summer nights the dews bestow, And summer suns enrich the day, Thy notes the blossoms charm to blow, Each opes delighted at thy lay.
4 So when in youth the eye’s dark glance Speaks pleasure from its circle bright, The tones of love our joys enhance, And make superiour each delight.
5 And when bleak storms resistless rove, And ev’ry rural bliss destroy, Nought comforts then the leafless grove But thy soft note – its only joy.
6 E’en so the words of love beguile, When pleasure’s tree no longer bears, And draw a soft endearing smile, Amid the gloom of grief and tears.