Youth’s Spring Tribute
John Ireland, Dante Gabriel Rossetti
On this sweet bank your head thrice sweet and dear
I lay, and spread your hair on either side
And see the newborn woodflowers bashful-eyed
Look through the golden tresses here and there
On these debateable borders of the year
Spring's foot half falters; scarce she yet may know
The leafless blackthorn-blossom from the snow
And through her bowers the wind' s way still is clear
But April's sun strikes down the glades to-day;
So shut your eyes upturned and feel my kiss
Creep, as the Spring now thrills through every spray
Up your warm throat to your warm lips: for this
Is even the hour of Love's sworn suitservice
With whom cold hearts are counted castaway