ON EARLY RISING
Reading edition
THE LOVER:
Why not rise with dawn, my Lady? Why miss these sweet hours? Come with me: the ghyll is shady, Carpeted with flowers; Why miss these sweet hours?
Now thou liest a-bed, my jewel, How canst thou still sleep? To encase thyself is cruel— Beauty thus to keep. How canst thou still sleep?
HIS LADY:
At this hour, my simple lover, I prefer to rest Than to watch the tireless plover Rise from dewy nest; I prefer to rest.
Beauty such as mine, my lover, (This I know is right) Even thou wilt soon discover Is more meet for night (This I know is right).
THE SONG-MAKER:
In the daytime chirp the thrushes; But the nightingale Waits until the moonlit hushes To pour forth her tale; Wiser nightingale!