With a Painted Ribbon

With a Painted Ribbon

LITTLE leaves and flow’rets too,

Scatter we with gentle hand,

Kind young spring-gods to the view,

Sporting on an airy band.

Zephyr[176]，bear it on the wing，

Twine it round my loved one’s dress;

To her glass then let her spring,

Full of eager joyousness.

Roses round her let her see,

She herself a youthful rose.

Grant,dear life,one look to me!

’Twill repay me all my woes,

What this bosom feels,feel thou.

Freely offer me thy hand;

Let the band that joins us now

Be no fragile rosy band!

1770.