Seeking Beauty

Cold winds can never freeze, nor thunder sour The cup of cheer that Beauty draws for me Out of those Azure heavens and this green earth -- I drink and drink, and thirst the more I see. To see the dewdrops thrill the blades of grass, Makes my whole body shake; for here's my choice Of either sun or shade, and both are green -- A Chaffinch laughs in his melodious voice. The banks are stormed by Speedwell, that blue flower So like a little heaven with one star out; I see an amber lake of buttercups, And Hawthorn foams the hedges round about. The old Oak tree looks now so green and young, That even swallows perch awhile and sing: This is that time of year, so sweet and warm, When bats wait not for stars ere they take wing. As long as I love Beauty I am young, Am young or old as I love more or less; When Beauty is not heeded or seems stale, My life's a cheat, let Death end my distress.