My May! my careless, ardent-tempered May!

My frank and frolic child! in whose blue eyes

Wild joy and passionate woe alternate rise;

Whose cheek, the morning in her soul illumes;

Whose little loving heart, a word, a glance,

Can sway to grief or glee; who leaves her play,

And puts up her sweet mouth and dimpled arms

Each moment for a kiss, and softly asks,

With her clear, flute-like voice, “Do you love me?”

Ah! let me stay! ah! let me still be by,