The tulip now its varied hue displays,
And sheds, like Ahmed’s eye, celestial rays.
Ah! nature, ever faithful, ever true,
The joys of youth, while May invites, pursue!
Will not these notes your timorous minds persuade?
Be gay: too soon the flowers of spring will fade!
The sparkling dew-drops o’er the lilies play,
Like orient pearls, or like the beams of day.
If love and mirth your idle thoughts engage,
Attend, ye nymphs! a poet’s words are sage.