OH prophetic bird so bright, Blossom-songster, cuckoo bight!
In the fairest time of year, Dearest bird, oh! deign to hear What a youthful pair would pray, Do thou call, if hope they may:
Thy cuck-oo, thy cuck-oo.
Ever more cuck-oo, cuck-oo!
Hearest thou? A loving pair Fain would to the altar fare;Yes! a pair in happy youth, Full of virtue, full of truth.
Is the hour not fix'd by fate?
Say, how long must they still wait?
Hark! cuck-oo! hark! cuck-oo!
Silent yet! for shame, cuck-oo!
'Tis not our fault, certainly!
Only two years patient be!
But if we ourselves please here, Will pa-pa-papas appear?
Know that thou'lt more kindness do us, More thou'lt prophesy unto us.
One! cuck-oo! Two! cuck-oo!
Ever, ever, cuck-oo, cuck-oo, coo!
If we've calculated clearly, We have half a dozen nearly.
If good promises we'll give, Wilt thou say how long we'II live?
Truly, we'll confess to thee, We'd prolong it willingly.
Coo cuck-oo, coo cuck-oo, Coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo!
Life is one continued feast--
(If we keep no score, at least).
If now we together dwell, Will true love remain as well?
For if that should e'er decay, Happiness would pass away.
Coo cuck-oo, coo cuck-oo, Coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo, coo!
1803.*
(Gracefully in infinitum.)
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