Cupid kissed me

Love and I, one summer day,

Took a walk together:

Oh, how beautiful the way

Through the blooming heather!

Far-off bells rang matin-chimes,

Birds sang, silver-voicing;

And our happy hearts beat time

To the earth's rejoicing.

Well-a-day! ah well-a-day!

Then pale Grief had missed me,

And Mirth and I kept company,

Ere Cupid kissed me.

Love ran idly where he would,

Child-like, all unheeding;

I as carelessly pursued

The pathway he was leading,

Till upon the shadowed side

Of a cool, swift river,

Where the sunbeams smote the tide

Goldenly a-quiver:

Well-a-day! Ah well-a-day!

"Love," I cried, "come, rest thee."

Ah, but Heart and I were gay,

Ere Cupid kissed me!

Shadows of the summer-cloud

Fell on near and far land,

Fragrantly the branches bowed

Every leafy garland;

While, with shining head at rest,

Next my heart reclining,

Love's white arms, with soft caress,

Round my neck were twining;

Till -- ah, well! Ah, well-a-day!

Love, who can resist thee? --

On the river-banks that day,

Cupid kissed me.

Woe is me! In cheerless plight,

By the cold sad river,

Seek I Love, who, taken flight,

Comes no more forever --

Love, from whom more pain than bliss

Every heart obtaineth;

For the joy soon vanishes,

While the pang remaineth.

Well-a-day! ah, well-a-day!

Would, Love, I had missed thee!

Peace and I are twain for aye,

Since Cupid kissed me!