O gentle sunbeam! in that quiet time
When I lay still in the expectant earth
1 felt thy touch, and bit by bit my life
Unfolded in the glow of thy soft smile;
And when the spring was clothed in fresh green
I trembled, and sprang out to meet thy kiss.
O cruel sunbeam! I can bear no more
The glory of thy light; for I fade fast,
And thou dost scorch me with thy fiercer heat.
The roses kiss thee now, and gaudier flowers
Bask in thy lavished gold. Farewell, farewell!
Only my sighs remain, and their perfume
Shall tell of my past sweetness; while my tears,
Glistening at night when thou art gone, shall help
Some fairer flowers to bloom and gladden thee.