Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

George Darley 1795–1846

Songs from “Sylvia; Or, the May Queen.” II. Morning-Song

Darley-G

AWAKE thee, my Lady-love!

Wake thee, and rise!

The sun through the bower peeps

Into thine eyes!

Behold how the early lark

Springs from the corn!

Hark, hark how the flower-bird

Winds her wee horn!

The swallow’s glad shriek is heard

All through the air;

The stock-dove is murmuring

Loud as she dare.

Apollo’s wing’d bugleman

Cannot contain,

But peals his loud trumpet-call

Once and again.

Then wake thee, my Lady-love!

Bird of my bower!

The sweetest and sleepiest

Bird at this hour!