Lily-Bell and Thistledown Song I

Awake!

Awake! for the earliest

Of golden sunlight

On the rippling waves, that brightly

Beneath the flowering vines.

Awake!

Awake! for the low, sweet

Of the wild-birds' morning

Comes floating by on the fragrant air,

Through the forest cool and dim;

Then spread each wing,

And work, and sing,

Through the long, bright sunny hours;

O'er the pleasant

We journey forth,

For a day among the flowers.

Awake!

Awake! for the summer

Hath bidden the blossoms unclose,

Hath opened the violet's soft blue eye,

And awakened the sleeping rose.

And lightly they wave on their slender

Fragrant, and fresh, and fair,

Waiting for us, as we singing

To gather our honey-dew there.

Then spread each wing,

And work, and sing,

Through the long, bright sunny hours;

O'er the pleasant

We journey forth,

For a day among the flowers.