Here they trysted, here they strayed,
In the leafage dewy and boon,
Many a man and many a maid,
And the morn was merry June:
‘ Death is fleet, Life is sweet,’
Sang the blackbird in the may;
And the hour with flying feet
While they dreamed was yesterday.
Many a maid and many a man
Found the leafage close and boon;
Many a destiny began —
O the morn was merry June.
Dead and gone, dead and gone,
( Hark the blackbird in the may! ),
Life and Death went hurrying on,
Cheek on cheek — and where were they?
Dust in dust engendering dust
In the leafage fresh and boon,
Man and maid fulfil their trust —
Still the morn turns merry June.
Mother Life, Father Death
( O the blackbird in the may! ),
Each the other's breath for breath,
Fleet the times of the world away.