Stay, ruby breasted warbler, stay
TUNE – “Julia to the Wood Robin”
1
Stay, ruby breasted warbler, stay,
And let me see thy sparkling eye;
Oh brush not yet the pearl strung spray,
Nor bow thy pretty head to fly.
2
Stay while I tell thee, fluttering thing,
That thou of love an emblem art;
Yes! patient plume thy little wing,
Whilst I my thoughts to thee impart.
3
When summer nights the dews bestow,
And summer suns enrich the day,
Thy notes the blossoms charm to blow,
Each opes delighted at thy lay.
4
So when in youth the eye’s dark glance
Speaks pleasure from its circle bright,
The tones of love our joys enhance,
And make superiour each delight.
5
And when bleak storms resistless rove,
And ev’ry rural bliss destroy,
Nought comforts then the leafless grove
But thy soft note – its only joy.
6
E’en so the words of love beguile,
When pleasure’s tree no longer bears,
And draw a soft endearing smile,
Amid the gloom of grief and tears.