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.

 

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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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!

 

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.