Poems (Nealds)/Serenade

by Adeline Martha Nealds

For works with similar titles, see Serenade.

SERENADE.

I've planted my bower
With many a flower,
 And I've bid them bloom for thee;
Then come, sweet maid,
To the green-wood shade,
 Where blossoms the hawthorn tree.

A wreath I've twin'd,
Thy brow to bind,
 And I've hung it on a bough,
Till thou shalt come
To our fairy home,
 Why, lady, linger'st thou?

Around thee wait,
In pomp and state,
 Full many an humble slave;
But come to my bow'r,
At evening hour,
 Where the hawthorn branches wave.

And, lady, mine,
Oh! cease to twine
 Thy locks with ought but flow'rs;
Leave costly gear,
For those to wear,
 Who'd scorn such a life as ours.

Then come to night,
The moon shines bright,
 On yonder castle wall,
In my bow'r of green,
I will crown thee queen,
 With a fairy coronal.

Then, lady, come,
Leave the gilded dome,
 Of thy father's princely hall,
And my bower shall be
A palace to thee,
 And thou shalt be queen of all.