When thou art nigh

When thou art nigh, it seems

A new creation round;

The sun hath fairer beams,

The lute a softer sound.

Though thee alone I see,

And hear alone thy sigh,

'Tis light, 'tis song to me,

'Tis all when thou art nigh.

When thou art nigh, no thought

Of grief comes o'er my heart;

I only think could aught

But joy be where thou art?

Life seems a waste of breath,

When far from thee I sigh;

And death ay, even death

Were sweet, if thou wert nigh.