Josias Lyndon Arnold (1768–1796)

WHILE zephyrs fan the verdant groves,

And flowerets grace the plain,

While shepherds tell the nymphs their loves,

And flaunt in pleasure’s train;

To yonder cottage of my fair

My anxious footsteps tend;

What joy so great as viewing there

A lover and a friend?

To her I fear not to disclose

The feelings of my heart;

She bears a part in all my woes,

In all my joys—a part.

If e’er she weeps, I kiss the tear,

And bid her sorrows end;

If she is pleased, joy shows me near

A lover and a friend.

She ’s youthful, innocent and gay,

Of perfect mind and mien;

She quickly steals all hearts away,

Wherever she is seen.

But though each shepherd’s heart she charms,

And they before her bend,

Round me alone she throws her arms,

A lover and a friend.