Stay, ruby breasted warbler, stay

And let me see thy sparkling eye;

Oh brush not yet the pearl strung spray,

Nor bow thy pretty head to fly.

Stay while I tell thee, fluttering thing,

That thou of love an emblem art;

Yes! patient plume thy little wing,

Whilst I my thoughts to thee impart.

When summer nights the dews bestow,

And summer suns enrich the day,

Thy notes the blossoms charm to blow,

Each opes delighted at thy lay.

So when in youth the eye’s dark glance

Speaks pleasure from its circle bright,

The tones of love our joys enhance,

And make superiour each delight.

And when bleak storms resistless rove,

And ev’ry rural bliss destroy,

Nought comforts then the leafless grove

But thy soft note – its only joy.

E’en so the words of love beguile,

When pleasure’s tree no longer bears,

And draw a soft endearing smile,

Amid the gloom of grief and tears.