FLY not yet; 'tis just the hour When pleasure, like the midnight flower That scorns the eye of vulgar light, Begins to bloom for sons of night, And maids who love the moon. 'Twas but to bless these hours of shade That beauty and the moon were made; 'Tis then their soft attractions glowing Set the tides and goblets flowing. Oh! stay, -- oh! stay, -- Joy so seldom weaves a chain Like this to-night, that, oh! 'tis pain To break its links so soon. Fly not yet; the fount that play'd In times of old through Ammon's shade, Though icy cold by day it ran, Yet still, like souls of mirth, began To burn when night was near, And thus should woman's heart and looks At noon be cold as winter brooks, Nor kindle till the night, returning, Brings their genial hour for burning. Oh! stay, -- oh! stay, -- When did morning ever break, And find such beaming eyes awake As those that sparkle here? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE OLD BRIDGE AT FLORENCE; SONNET by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE LAST INVOCATION by WALT WHITMAN SORCERY by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH MY MOTHER by FLORENCE R. ANDREWS THE SICK KING IN BOKHARA by MATTHEW ARNOLD THE GRAVE OF COLUMBUS by JOANNA BAILLIE LILIES: 25. THY LOVE-SERVICE by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 4. THE OLD VALLEY by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |