It Is Not Always May
By Professor Longfellow.
- The sun is bright the air is clear,
- The darting swallows soar and sing,
- And from the stately elm I hear
- The blue bird prophesying spring.
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- So blue yon winding river flows,
- It seems an outlet from the sky,
- Where waiting till the west wind blows,
- The freighted clouds at anchor lie.
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- All things are new the buds, the leaves,
- That guild the elm-tree's nodding crest;
- And e'en the nest beneath the eaves,
- There are no birds in last year's nest!
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- All things rejoice in youth and love;
- The fulness of their first delight!
- And learn from the soft heavens above,
- The melting tenderness of night.
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- Maiden that read'st this simple rhyme,
- Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
- Enjoy the fragrance, of thy prime,
- For oh, it is not always May!
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- Enjoy the Spring of Love and Youth,
- To some good angel leave the rest!
- For time will teach thee soon the truth
- There are no birds in last year's nest.
May 11, 1842. Jeffersonian Republican 3(10): 1. Also May 13, 1856 in the Washington D.C. Evening Star 7(1018): 4.