Time the Tyrant

Old Time went loit'ring with a maid

O'er meadowsweet and daisy,

He laughed to think she thought him slow

And long to go and lazy.

He pressed his slender hourglass,

His golden sands dilating,

For Time, you know,

Will never go,

When Love is waiting.

The maiden's lover came to pass

O'er meadowsweet and daisy;

He held her fast; "Ah, sweet," he cried,

"Old Time is surely crazy.

He will not stay,

He speeds away,

His sands are all gyrating,

For Time is fleet

When lovers meet

And hearts are mating.

But lovers linger ne'ertheless

O'er meadowsweet and daisy

And tread the path of primroses

And tread the woodlands mazy.

For Time the Tyrant jeers in vain

His hoary malice voicing;

He might be fled,

Lost, stolen or dead,

'Twere all the same when lovers wed,

Love laughs rejoicing.