The East Indian
Come, May, with all thy flowers,
Thy sweetly-scented thorn,
Thy cooling evening showers,
The fragrant breath at morn:
When, May-flies haunt the willow,
When May-buds tempt the bee,
Then o’er the shining billow
My love will come to me.
From Eastern Isles she’s winging
Thro’ watery wilds her way,
And on her cheek is bringing
The bright sun’s orient ray:
Oh, come and court her hither,
Ye breezes mild and warm—
One winter’s gale would wither
So soft, so pure a form.
The fields where she was straying
Are blest with endless light,
With zephyrs always playing
Thro’ gardens always bright.
Then now, sweet May! be sweeter
Than e’er, thou’st been before;
Let sighs from roses meet her
When she comes near our shore.